Blog: Wes’s thoughts, articles, and insights

[ai_chat_window]

My most recent posts

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 […]

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 […]

Older Posts

What Question Would You Ask an AMS Software CEO?

January 5, 2010

On Tuesday, January 26, 2010, I’ll be moderating a panel of three association software CEOs for ASAE’s Online Conference for […]

Nonprofit seeks Knowledge Management Director

December 17, 2009

One of my clients, BIO Ventures for Global Health, is seeking a director of Knowledge Management. The  listing follows. If […]

CDC Software acquires gomembers

December 8, 2009

CDC Software has purchased gomembers, an AMS provider. You can read more about the acquisition here. There has been a […]

Amazon Continues to Raise the Bar

December 3, 2009

I’m a huge fan of Amazon.com. I’ve been buying from them for years and have been an Amazon Prime member […]

Targeting your Audience

December 1, 2009

Twice in the past couple of weeks (with different groups) I’ve heard words to the effect of: “We want to […]

It's more like buying a Soloflex, rather than a car…

November 23, 2009

When I help clients through the process of purchasing a new association management system, the metaphor that often arises is […]

New Article Published: Eliminating Business Inefficiencies

November 19, 2009

My latest article, entitled “Eliminating Business Inefficiencies,” has just been published in the November issue of ASAE’s Associations Now magazine. […]

Hear the Man!

November 17, 2009

You’ve got THREE opportunities in December to hear me speak. On Tuesday, December 8, I’ll be speaking on NTEN’s Ask […]

Ask the Expert – My Online Event with NTEN

November 3, 2009

I’ll be speaking for NTEN on Tuesday, December 8, from 2pm to 3pm eastern (11am Pacific), on NTEN’s Ask the […]

Scroll to Top