Don't fall into the arrival fallacy trap
The arrival fallacy is the false belief that reaching a specific milestone or achieving an external goal will automatically bring lasting happiness and fulfillment.
I see this a lot when associations are seeking a new AMS. The thinking is "If we just get the right AMS, all of our data management problems will be solved!"
The fact is, a new AMS can't solve certain foundational issues like bad data, a lack of data governance, or confusing business processes. All of these issues have to be addressed for the AMS to provide the most value. This is why a change of AMS alone will not provide the "lasting happiness and fulfillment" the association is seeking!
So if you're having data management challenges, changing your AMS platform may (or may not!) be the right move. But don't fall for the arrival fallacy that getting a new AMS will finally solve all your problems!
![]()
Wes's Wednesday Wisdom Archives
Small actions become big wins
Small actions become big wins I’ve written before about how data accretes, the idea that […]
Try not to OFFEND your members…
Try not to OFFEND your members… I recently received an email from an association where I’ve […]
How will you use that data?
How will you use that data? One of the beauties of technology today is how easy […]
Pennywise and pound foolish
Pennywise and pound foolish One definition of the phrase “pennywise and pound foolish” is to […]
How you respond matters
How you respond matters Very recently I wrote that I measure customer service by how […]
Your one non-renewable resource
Your one non-renewable resource For any project, the three primary resources are time, money, and […]
No system is perfect
No system is perfect When working with my clients on the selection of a new […]
Ask your members to update their info
Ask your members to update their info One of the greatest data management challenges any association […]
Customer vs. staff
Customer vs. staff In a properly designed AMS, when the customer goes online to your […]
Measuring customer service
Measuring customer service When I work with clients on AMS selection, one question that often […]
