Do they hate the system?
When an association asks me for help finding a new AMS, I always ask if there's any chance the association would be interested in keeping their current system (perhaps upgrading it to the latest version). Fixing what you have is almost always less expensive and less disruptive than implementing a new system.
More often than not, the answer is no. Very often I'll hear: "Staff hates the current system."
And here's the thing: If staff really does hate the current system, there's almost nothing you can do to salvage the system for any reasonable long term.
One association executive I worked with characterized his relationship with his AMS as "an abusive spouse." That is...not good.
So if you're thinking of moving to a new system, consider the possibility of improving the one you have. But if the level of vitriol aimed at your AMS is off the charts, it's probably time to change systems.
![]()
Wes's Wednesday Wisdom Archives
The best choice given the information you have
The best choice given the information you have “Hindsight is 20/20” is a cliché because, […]
Action isn’t the same as progress
Action isn’t the same as progress I’ve written before that not taking action is an […]
Start with the end in mind
Start with the end in mind Like so many, I probably first heard the phrase […]
It’s quiet in here…maybe TOO quiet…
It’s quiet in here…maybe TOO quiet… One of the truisms of data management is that […]
It’s ALWAYS about expectations
It’s ALWAYS about expectations The headline reads: “Tesla sets record for vehicle deliveries, an increase […]
It’s hard to get UNangry
It’s hard to get UNangry I often emphasize to my clients the importance of testing […]
Some history IS important!
Some history IS important! When I’m advising clients on data conversion (moving data from one […]
“Many mickles make a muckle.”
“Many mickles make a muckle.” “Many mickles make a muckle.” – George Washington Apparently, this […]
It’s easy to collect; it’s harder to manage
It’s easy to collect; it’s harder to manage The beauty of today’s highly configurable AMS […]
Tell them why you want the data
Tell them why you want the data Because data is so easy to collect these […]
