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

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 […]

Some Job Openings in the Association Market

October 29, 2009

Given the current economic climate, I thought I’d take this opportunity to list three positions that are open at past […]

Hard Work is Overrated

October 27, 2009

This post on the Fast Company blog got me to thinking about managing databases (surprise, surprise!). The blog post discusses […]

Aptify Users Conference 2009

October 22, 2009

I had the opportunity to attend part of Aptify’s Users Conference this year, held last week in Washington, DC. I […]

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