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

Concerned about Community Brands? I recommend watchful waiting

April 26, 2017

Unless you live under a rock, you’ve heard that Community Brands recently acquired YourMembership, Abila, and Aptify. And as of 9am […]

Is Salesforce the new Access?

April 24, 2017

I’ve noticed in the past few years that more and more associations are using Salesforce as one of (if not […]

It won't be just the technology that changes…

March 27, 2017

When you make a significant technology change, like the implementation of a new AMS or LMS, not only will you […]

FREE Webinar! Ask Me Anything

March 24, 2017

On Thursday, April 20, 2107, 1.3opm-2:30pm Eastern,Teri Carden, Founder of ReviewMyAMS, and I will be hosting a FREE Ask Us […]

New Article Posted – What do associations think of their AMS?

February 21, 2017

You can find out here, in my latest article: What Associations Think of Their AMS Of course, if you’re already […]

Be careful about requiring a home phone

January 30, 2017

I was completing an application online today for an organization I was joining. One of the required fields was “home phone.” […]

Users meetings now augmented with quarterly calls

January 27, 2017

I’ve always been a HUGE advocate of software users groups. When I was on staff at an association and a […]

Do you know your member "sweetspot"?

January 27, 2017

When I talk with software vendors who are new to the association space (or at least new to me!), I […]

Users meetings now augmented with quarterly calls

January 26, 2017

I’ve always been a HUGE advocate of software users groups. When I was on staff at an association and a […]

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