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

Focus on Outcomes, not Inputs

February 8, 2011

When I work with my clients on selecting a new association management system, one of the first steps we take […]

Are your self-service web pages working?

February 3, 2011

According to research firm Gartner, 65 percent of self-service interactions currently escalate beyond the Web to an agent. In other words, […]

Here's my money, but keep the premium

February 1, 2011

I recently made a donation to my local Boy Scouts of America chapter. In return for my donation (although I […]

New Article Posted – Oh, The Changes I've Seen!

January 21, 2011

I’ve posted a new article on my website. I’ve been working in association management system (AMS) software since 1990. That makes me […]

Make sure you understand TCO (total cost of ownership)

January 20, 2011

On the Edmunds website is a very slick tool that will allow you to calculate the TCO (total cost of […]

Seek Dividends, Not Just Insurance

January 19, 2011

One of the primary services I provide to my clients is helping them select and implement new association management software. […]

Don't Expect EVERYTHING from Your Database

January 18, 2011

I’m working on an RFP for a client for the selection of new association management software system. As I’m working through the list of required functionality, I’m struck by just how much functionality is available

Workarounds aren't always bad

January 13, 2011

When I work with clients on their data management processes, I’m always looking for ways to make life easier for […]

Two Job Openings at DC-area Association

January 12, 2011

My colleague and client Dave Martin of the Electronic Retailing Association is seeking to fill two marketing positions. Marketing Manager […]

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