Blog: Wes’s thoughts, articles, and insights

[ai_chat_window]

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

“Sage on the stage becomes guide on the side”

September 24, 2015

I heard these words at a recent luncheon hosted by Tagoras Consulting. Jeff Cobb was talking about the change in […]

Two upcoming events

September 23, 2015

I’m speaking at two events on Thursday, October 1, one virtual and one in-person. At 1pm eastern I’ll be speaking […]

It's about the fundamentals

September 22, 2015

In football, coaches will often refer to “getting back to blocking and tackling.” Usually this is in reference to how […]

New Article Posted – You're not marketing too much, you're marketing wrong!

September 21, 2015

“One of the problems we have is that we’re marketing too much. We’re sending too many emails to our members.” […]

Sometimes it doesn't make sense to market…

September 18, 2015

Although I’m a marketer at heart, I  know that sometimes it doesn’t make sense to do certain types of marketing. […]

Take part in the Tagoras Learning + Technology Survey

September 17, 2015

My good friends at Tagoras Consulting are working on their latest Association Learning + Technology report. But they need input […]

"Learning is a process, not an event"

September 16, 2015

I attended a luncheon hosted by Tagoras a couple months ago, and one of my takeaways was this thought: “Learning […]

“Is this your first time attending?”

September 15, 2015

If you’ve ever registered for a large conference (e.g., an association’s annual conference), you’ve probably seen this question on the […]

ALL resources are limited

September 14, 2015

I’ve written in the past (here, here, and here) that it’s important to understand that all decisions require a trade-off. […]

Scroll to Top