Blog: Wes’s thoughts, articles, and insights

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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

The importance of regular internal users group meetings

August 12, 2013

One of the most frequent pieces of advice I give my clients is to host regular internal users group meetings. […]

Titles vs. Roles

August 6, 2013

All of my trade and professional association clients track titles. Your title is what you put on your business card. […]

New Article Posted – Your Database: Three Choices

June 20, 2013

I’ve posted a new article on my website. One of my primary consulting services is helping associations select new association management […]

How EVERY vendor should treat their customers; and every association should treat their members

June 18, 2013

I recount below a conversation I had recently with Mark Sedegly, CEO of MemberClicks: Wes: “Mark, do you offer any […]

"Live" from ASAE's Membership, Marketing, and Communications Conference

June 10, 2013

TMA Resources recorded several short video interviews at last week’s ASAE Membership, Marketing, and Communications Conference in Washington, DC. I’ve posted […]

New Article Posted – Obstacles to Measuring Engagement

May 22, 2013

I’ve posted a new article on my website. From what I read and hear, it seems engagement, and particularly member engagement, is […]

The Future of the AMS – A free e-book

May 13, 2013

I participated in a panel discussion of AMS experts on the future of the Association Management System (AMS) hosted by […]

A question for my association colleagues

May 7, 2013

My question: Why do associations frequently “hide” audience feedback from speakers? When I work with my clients, a common discussion […]

Put Your Data to Work! – 52 Tips and Techniques

May 6, 2013

If you don’t own it, you should! Buy it in e-book or printed form. Click here to learn more about […]

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