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

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 […]

Come Meet the Author in Toronto

August 6, 2009

ASAE is hosting a series of 25-minute sessions of ASAE authors at the ASAE bookstore during ASAE’s Annual Meeting in […]

Go ahead, DON'T take my advice…

July 30, 2009

Over the past two weeks I’ve been contacted by two associations who were in the market for a new association […]

One last reminder: Thriving with Data Webinar

July 29, 2009

OK, last time I mention this, I promise. Tomorrow, Thursday, July 30, at Noon Eastern I’m presenting a web conference […]

The importance of data integrity reports

July 27, 2009

In my book, Put Your Data to Work: 52 Tips and Techniques for Effectively Managing Your Database, tip #25 is […]

Don't Miss my Web Conference on Thriving with Data

July 23, 2009

Just a reminder that next Thursday, July 30, at Noon Eastern I’m presenting a web conference with Boston Conferencing on […]

Take my One Question Survey

July 16, 2009

For the third year in a row, I’m conducting a one-question survey about associations and their database challenges. This will […]

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