Blog: Wes’s thoughts, articles, and insights

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My most recent posts

Data management is improvisation

By Wes Trochlil | September 16, 2026

Data management is improvisation I was listening to a podcast recently featuring TV writer Rob Long. During the podcast he said (I’m paraphrasing) that, in order to be successful, one needs to learn to improvise, because nothing in life ever goes as planned. One of my favorite sayings is, “If you want to make God […]

Who own the AMS company is like the weather…

By Wes Trochlil | September 9, 2026

Who own the AMS company is like the weather… When I work with clients to find a new AMS, one of the most common questions I get is: “Is the software company owned by private equity or is it privately owned?” While I think this is a legitimate question to ask and have answered, it […]

“As good or better than me.”

By Wes Trochlil | September 2, 2026

“As good or better than me.” I was recently speaking with a software developer working on AI and we were discussing using natural language querying in an AMS. I told him, “The biggest challenge you face is that the first time the AI is wrong, staff will never use it again.” He agreed but then added: “The […]

Documentation is insurance

By Wes Trochlil | August 26, 2026

Documentation is insurance In a conversation with a client about their data management needs, the client pointed out that if they lost one or two key staff members, so much institutional knowledge would go with them that the association would have real difficulty managing their AMS. I recommended that they should document all of their key processes so […]

It all comes down to fundamentals

By Wes Trochlil | August 12, 2026

It all comes down to fundamentals I’m preparing for a webinar that I’m presenting in a couple of weeks, on using data to improve marketing and communications. This is a presentation (in one form or another) that I’ve made for nearly 20 years, and it includes an excellent case study of one association that dramatically improved their […]

Older Posts

BI Case Study: Professional Golfers Association

July 8, 2008

This is the third of four case studies on how associations are using business intelligence, about which I presented at […]

BI Case Study: National Association of College and University Business Officers

June 17, 2008

This is the second of four case studies on how associations are using business intelligence, about which I presented at […]

BI Case Study: Texas Medical Association

June 12, 2008

This is the first of four case studies on how associations are using business intelligence, about which I presented at […]

More vendors allowing changes to online help

June 10, 2008

As I noted here, I was pleased to see an AMS vendor provide client access to their online help system. […]

Using Business Intelligence: Transactional vs. Transformational

June 5, 2008

I was sitting in a consulting workshop a few weeks ago being led by Alan Weiss. Alan was making the […]

New Article Posted

June 3, 2008

I’ve posted a new article on my website, entitled “Business Intelligence: What it Means for Membership and Marketing.” Of course, […]

The Wisdom of Drucker

May 29, 2008

My favorite quote from Peter Drucker comes from The Effective Executive (written over 40 years ago!!). On page 5, Drucker […]

Speaking for ASAE in Baltimore

May 22, 2008

Don’t forget, I’ll be speaking at the ASAE Marketing and Membership Conference next Thursday, May 29, from 2.15-3.30, on how […]

This gave me a chuckle

May 20, 2008

I came across this in a business magazine. It seems Microsoft (and other companies) are producing children’s books to promote […]

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