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

EVERY System has duplicate records. Get used to it!

January 10, 2018

One of the most common challenges all of my clients face is duplicate records. And the simple fact is, even […]

Speak Up!

January 9, 2018

One of the more frustrating aspects of consulting is running into staff who are unwilling to speak up when speaking […]

You're not special (when it comes to data management)

December 1, 2017

I don’t mean to sound harsh, but the truth is, when it comes to data management, your association is probably […]

Want to be successful? Do the work!

November 30, 2017

I’m often asked what the major success factors are for an AMS (or any system) implementation. There are many, of […]

New article posted: Understanding Queries

November 21, 2017

When I work with my clients on any issues related to data management, whether it’s selecting a new AMS, or […]

Users are important, but don't forget about your data consumers

November 7, 2017

Last week I wrote about an association with 60 staff but only six users. Today I want to talk about […]

Consultants Unmasked

November 6, 2017

  Consultants Unmasked! Join us on Tuesday, November 14 • 10:45 – 11:45am   This is your chance to ask […]

GDPR is coming; are you prepared?

November 3, 2017

The European Union’s new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) goes into effect in May 2018. In a nutshell, GDPR creates […]

60 staff but only six users; and that's OK

November 2, 2017

I was working with an association recently, helping them select a new association management system. The association has 60 FTEs, working […]

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