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

Tracking Volunteers and Form 990

June 4, 2010

At many of my recent talks, I’ve been discussing the importance of tracking and managing volunteers. Volunteerism is THE distinguishing […]

There is no single "correct" solution to any problem

June 3, 2010

And that’s why there are so many association management system (AMS) options available. Quite often I’m asked by potential clients […]

EDM Forges Partnership with Florida SAE

June 2, 2010

I’m pleased to announce that I’ve entered into a partnership with the Florida Society of Association Executives (FSAE) to offer […]

Observations from Protech Fusion Users Conference

May 27, 2010

Last week I had the opportunity to speak at the Protech 2010 Fusion Users Conference in Washington, DC. I also got […]

Simplifying Your Processes Means Limiting Your Inputs – New Article Posted

May 20, 2010

UPDATE: Title of blog post fixed A new article has been posted to my website. Decreased online registrations. High levels […]

Nonprofit Seeks Database Manager

May 11, 2010

A friend of mine at the Partnership for Public Service forwarded me a job listing for a new database manager […]

Are you attending your users conference?

May 3, 2010

A recent notice for an AMS vendor’s annual users conference reminded me of how supremely important user conferences are. I’ve […]

Three Reasons Why You Need a Formal Tracking System – New Article Posted

April 20, 2010

A new article has been posted to my website. When issues are raised during a project, there are three challenges […]

It's like testing a new plane with passengers on board…

April 8, 2010

Would you fly in an airplane that had never been tested? Of course not. Yet every day, associations are using […]

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