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

The challenge for Business Development managers using an AMS

January 25, 2012

One of the most common gripes I hear when I talk with business development staff within associations is that they […]

Attention vendors! Check your work! – A lesson we can all learn

January 24, 2012

I’m conducting a search for a new AMS on behalf of one of my clients. We requested responses, including pricing, […]

New Article Posted – Seven Steps for Selecting a New Association Management System

January 19, 2012

I’ve posted a new article on my website. Although every system selection process has its nuances (over the past dozen years […]

Things I heard at ASAE Tech Conference VII – Data you should NOT collect

January 12, 2012

At the session I presented at the ASAE Technology Conference last month, one of the points I made was that […]

Things I heard at ASAE Tech Conference VI – Training

January 11, 2012

A session attendee at the Tech Conference said (I paraphrase): “In all the proposals I’ve received from AMS vendors, the […]

Things I heard at ASAE Tech Conference V – Testing plans

January 10, 2012

During one session I attended at the ASAE Tech Conference, the issue arose of testing in the AMS during implementation. […]

Things I heard at ASAE Tech Conference IV – How to deal with the fear and pain of a new AMS

January 6, 2012

At one session I attended, an audience member asked the question quite plaintively: “How do we deal with the fear […]

Things I heard at ASAE Tech Conference III – Modify your expectations

January 5, 2012

I can’t remember who said it, but along the way I heard someone say something simple yet profound. When it […]

Things I heard at ASAE Tech Conference II – How do I set up an internal users group

January 4, 2012

I’m a huge proponent of internal users groups, which I’ve written about here and here. At a session I attended, Jamie […]

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