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

When drawing a picture is better than using words

July 7, 2014

My oldest son (age 16) is interested in rebuilding our wooden swing-set, which is over 12 years old and in […]

Sometimes context is required

July 2, 2014

Recently I met my daughter at the bus stop after school and walked her home. As we approached my house, we picked up […]

Perfection kills

June 30, 2014

Some 25 years ago, I published a printed directory for the association I worked for which ultimately won an ASAE […]

Very often, it's the nickels and dimes that matter

June 26, 2014

AMS vendors often point out that, when considering the selection of a new AMS, the association needs to look at […]

"It's like a loaded gun; very powerful and very dangerous."

June 24, 2014

That’s what one of the AMS vendors said to me when describing the flexibility of their system. Sure, it’s hyperbole, […]

New Article Posted – Developing a Cycle of Virtuous Data Management

June 23, 2014

In last month’s newsletter, I discussed the Cycle of Doom, which I see repeated too often at many associations. But there […]

New Video on Avoiding the Cycle of Doom

June 3, 2014

Personify interviewed me last week on my recent article, Improving User Adoption and Avoiding the Cycle of Doom. In the […]

Thoughts on the ASI Partners Conference

May 20, 2014

I had the opportunity recently to attend ASI’s iNNOVATION Conference in Florida. This conference is for ASI’s partners and re-sellers. […]

Inconsistent processes leads to inefficiencies (and errors!)

May 12, 2014

Standing in line in airport security last week, I noticed that half the people in line were taking their shoes […]

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