Blog: Wes’s thoughts, articles, and insights

[ai_chat_window]

My most recent posts

Why bother with a consultant when I have AI?

By Wes Trochlil | October 14, 2026

Why bother with a consultant when I have AI? As AI becomes increasingly powerful, the value of using an AMS selection consultant (and many other types of consultants!) starts to come into question. After all, with very well-constructed prompts and responses, an association could develop a very solid needs analysis and RFP that could be used to […]

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 […]

Older Posts

New Article Posted – The Data Friendly Association

May 23, 2017

For the past 18 years, I’ve been consulting with associations of all sizes on their data management issues. One thing […]

When it comes to data management, what makes your association different?

May 16, 2017

If you’re looking for a new AMS, that’s one of the most important questions you can ask. What makes your […]

Your members "get it" when you tell them there's a system change

May 12, 2017

When my clients are working on implementing a new association management system, they often worry about how the members and customers will […]

Where does implementation fail? User acceptance testing

May 10, 2017

I’m often asked by my clients, “What’s the single most important success factor during system implementation?” That answer is easy: user […]

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 […]

Scroll to Top