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

Two new articles posted…

October 19, 2017

In case you missed it, I’ve published two new articles on my site. Don’t overlook the progress made when moving […]

Are your customers' passwords hidden from staff view? They should be!

August 4, 2017

Are the passwords for your members and customers in your database hidden from staff view (e.g., hashed out or showing a […]

If you collect data, you must also maintain it

August 2, 2017

One of the joys of today’s database technology is that it makes it exceedingly easy to collect data. Put an online […]

New Article Posted: Seven Things You Should Do in Your AMS

July 20, 2017

Given how advanced and thorough the modern association management software (AMS) system has become, there are many opportunities for your […]

Significant change in CASL Law

July 13, 2017

CASL is the Canadian Anti-spam Law, which was passed several years ago, and is now in full effect in Canada. […]

Beware: Small things can add up to big time suckers…

July 10, 2017

When I work with clients, one thing I focus on is process. How is data managed within the organization? What […]

Four Elements of Data: Volume, velocity, variety, and veracity

July 7, 2017

I don’t remember where I first read this, but I love this description of the four elements of data. Volume, […]

Things you WANT to hear about your database

July 5, 2017

I was speaking at an ASAE event recently and ran into a woman I had worked with at a past […]

Implied Interest and your database

June 30, 2017

I don’t recall where I first heard the term, but I’ve been using the concept of “implied interest” since back […]

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