Blog: Wes’s thoughts, articles, and insights

[ai_chat_window]

My most recent posts

Improvement is never linear

By Wes Trochlil | June 10, 2026

Improvement is never linear One of the many lessons one learns over a lifetime is that improvement, regardless of what you’re trying to improve, is never linear. That is, you’ll always have days where you’re better, and days where you don’t improve, or maybe even fall back. And so it is with data management. Even if you […]

Don’t forget to take a “before” picture!

By Wes Trochlil | June 3, 2026

Don’t forget to take a “before” picture! Whenever I start on a big home clean up or renovation project, I like to take a “before” picture, so that I can see the progress that was made when the project is complete. (Ironically, even though I’m the son of an award-winning amateur photographer, I often forget […]

Are you being penny wise and pound foolish?

By Wes Trochlil | May 27, 2026

Are you being penny wise and pound foolish? Two quick customer service stories to illustrate a point: First story: I’ve used the same email provider for more than 20 years. But for technical reasons, recently I needed to switch providers, so I canceled my service with them a few weeks in advance of my renewal. […]

AMS Products are getting better – and what that means for you

By Wes Trochlil | May 20, 2026

AMS Products are getting better – and what that means for you I’ve been working in and with AMS products for 36 years (27 years of consulting, nine years as an association staffer). And I can say with great confidence that the systems available today are much better than they were 36 years ago! (Shocking, I know.) But […]

Using AI beyond content generation

By Wes Trochlil | May 13, 2026

Using AI beyond content generation Recent surveys by ASAE and others suggest nearly 90% of associations are using AI for some type of content generation (e.g., creating blog posts, newsletter articles, “canned” responses to inquiries, etc.). That is great, but when it comes to data management, there are so many more opportunities for leveraging AI. Here are some ideas […]

Older Posts

Reflections on NiUG/Improvements in iMIS

October 8, 2009

I had the honor of speaking at the opening general session for NiUG International’s Discovery Conference last week in Baltimore, […]

Mindless Rules Make Me Mental

October 6, 2009

Last weekend I was sitting on the sidelines as I watched my six-year old daughter play soccer. This is the […]

AMS Learning and Demo Days

September 30, 2009

ASAE is hosting AMS Learning and Demo Day son Monday and Tuesday, October 12 and 13, 2009, at the Rockville […]

I've Answered the Survey; Now What?

September 24, 2009

I hate surveys. I’ve made it clear to anyone who will listen that I only answer one-question surveys. If your […]

My Theory on Why Associations Won't Invest in Technology

September 10, 2009

In a blog post last week I discussed a handful of AMS packages available at very low cost to associations. […]

I'll be the General Session Speaker at NiUG Annual Discovery Conference

September 3, 2009

I’m pleased to announce that I’ll be the general session speaker for the NiUG International 2009 Annual Discovery Conference, September […]

There ARE "Affordable" AMS Systems

September 1, 2009

I often hear from association executives (particularly from very small associations, e.g., under five staff) that they can’t afford to […]

Don't Let Your New Process Become a "Cash for Clunkers" Panic

August 27, 2009

By some accounts, the federal government’s “Cash for Clunkers” program has been a spectacular success. Hundreds of thousands of buyers […]

Thoughts on ASAE's Annual Meeting

August 20, 2009

Just returned from four great and exhausting days in Toronto for the 2009 ASAE Annual Meeting. I’ve attended 10 of […]

Scroll to Top