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

Association seeking iMIS Support Specialist

November 29, 2010

The National Recreation and Park Association has created a new position in the IT department and is currently looking for someone […]

Are you making it easy to give (or buy)?

November 15, 2010

I received, in the mail this weekend, a letter from the ASAE Foundation, asking me for a donation. Having been […]

Translator, Please.

November 9, 2010

I was speaking with Mike Murphy at the American Sociological Association about our upcoming session at the 2010 ASAE Technology […]

Protech Launches New SaaS Product

November 5, 2010

Protech Associates, a long-time AMS vendor, has announced the release of their latest product line, Memberpoint. Memberpoint is a SaaS […]

Database Training and Your Dog

November 4, 2010

Over the years, I’ve written a whole bunch about training (Click here for all kinds of tips.) Recently, Donna Dunn, […]

Sometimes we just have to manage the exceptions

October 21, 2010

A client of mine was telling me about a problem they have with fraudulent credit card charges, which require a […]

People, Process, & Technology

October 19, 2010

I’m not sure who first coined this phrase, but you hear it a lot in the CRM world (and in […]

ERA Seeking Marketing Manager

October 18, 2010

One of my past clients, The Electronic Retailing Association (ERA) is currently looking to fill an open position for a Marketing […]

New Article Posted – What AMS Vendors Think – 2010

October 14, 2010

I’ve posted a new article on my website. Over the past several years I’ve conducted a non-scientific survey of association […]

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