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

Some tips on how marketing and membership staff can work effectively with the CEO

September 18, 2014

This article, co-authored by Scott Oser and myself, outlines some highlights from our sessions at the recent ASAE Membership & Marketing […]

Why you shouldn’t build your own software (from someone who knows!)

September 16, 2014

This blog post is LONG and fascinating (unfortunately, it’s no longer online!). It’s written by the CEO of an AMS […]

New Article Posted – Amazon and Other e-Commerce Sites Set the Bar

August 4, 2014

Amazon.com is easily my favorite place to shop online. Everything about the experience there is top-notch. Of course, any of us […]

See me at the September 4 ASAE Idea Swap

August 4, 2014

On September 4, I’ll be the featured speaker at the Loudoun County Idea Swap hosted by ASAE and held at […]

REMINDER: Free Seminar on Data Management

July 28, 2014

Tate & Tryon is hosting a FREE seminar on data management, designed especially for C-suite executives, this Wednesday, July 30, […]

Don't get hung up on exceptions

July 16, 2014

I was once working with a client during implementation of a new association management system. At one point we got into […]

How a good AMS can help trade associations with membership

July 14, 2014

In my almost-ten-years as an association professional, I worked for three different associations whose membership was based on organizations rather […]

Data conversion made easy

July 10, 2014

One of the biggest challenges associations face during a transition from one AMS to another is data conversion. Deciding what data […]

Use CRM functionality to track calls and promote the value of membership

July 8, 2014

Almost every AMS on the market today has some form of CRM (customer relationship management) functionality that allows staff to […]

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