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

Things I heard at ASAE Tech Conference – Why should I use a consultant?

January 3, 2012

Over the course of the next couple of posts, I’m going to write about several things I heard at ASAE’s Tech […]

Check out my guest blog post at Avectra

December 12, 2011

Avectra is running a series of guest blog posts for the next 12 days. You can find my post here, […]

A free idea for the AMS vendors (from one of my clients)

December 6, 2011

I was speaking recently with Frank Wolfe, CAE, CEO of the Hospitality Financial Technology Professionals, in Austin, TX. Frank had […]

Don't forget about ASAE's Technology Conference this week!

December 5, 2011

I’ll be speaking twice at the ASAE Technology Conference this week (Wednesday, December 7). My first session, with Rene Shonherd, […]

New Article Posted – Four Reasons to Establish an Internal Users Group

November 17, 2011

I’ve posted a new article on my website. A few years ago one of my most successful clients told me that […]

AMS Vendors Providing Educational Opportunities

November 15, 2011

I’ve noticed an uptick, lately, in the amount of free education being provided by AMS vendors. This is a promising […]

Interview of Wes Trochlil by TMA Resources

November 10, 2011

TMA Resources has begun a new series of weekly educational videos on their website called “Association Tech News.” In this […]

A great example of managing to the rule

November 9, 2011

I’ve written often about “managing to the exception,” the idea that all of our business rules have to apply to […]

Effective Change Requires Leadership

November 7, 2011

Effective change requires leadership. Leadership from the top. Compare these two situations (true stories, clients of mine from the past): […]

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