Blog: Wes’s thoughts, articles, and insights

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My most recent posts

Guardrails can be helpful!

By Wes Trochlil | October 7, 2026

Guardrails can be helpful! When selecting a new AMS, I find my clients are often very tempted by custom software or “platform” systems (e.g., built on Salesforce or MS Dynamics) because these systems are infinitely configurable. After all, if I can make the system do anything I want, that’s a good thing, right? Well, maybe. In […]

“If you knew this information, what might you do differently?”

By Wes Trochlil | September 30, 2026

“If you knew this information, what might you do differently?” I had a conversation with a client recently about developing KPIs, reports, and queries from their forthcoming data warehouse. My client said: “We have a ton of requests for KPIs and reports. How do we determine which to focus on first?” My response: “When someone requests a dashboard […]

Showing is not teaching

By Wes Trochlil | September 23, 2026

Showing is not teaching In my experience, when new staff members are taught how to use their AMS (or LMS, CMS, FMS, etc.) they aren’t really taught how to use the system, they are shown how to use it. So what’s the difference? In a nutshell, showing only covers the “how” and “what.” But teaching […]

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 […]

Older Posts

Collect as little data as possible (when selling)

July 24, 2008

Yes, you read that right. When selling anything online, whether it’s membership joins, renewals, event registration, or product sales, you […]

BI Case Study: National Defense Industrial Association

July 22, 2008

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

Reports are Better than Queries

July 17, 2008

I’m often asked by my clients, when pulling data, if they should use a report or a query. The answer, […]

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, […]

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