There is ALWAYS a Trade-off
I've written many times about trade-offs (you can read a bunch here). In short, every decision you make, whether you realize it or not, involves a trade-off. And recent news reminded me once again, that not only are there always trade-offs, but often they are unseen.
This article explains how the reduction of acid rain (less sulfur, a good thing!) is now creating problems for wheat farmers (a bad thing!) because the wheat needs the sulfur to create the gluten that makes for good bread.
You can read the details in the article, but suffice it to say, nothing comes without a trade-off. For example, if you choose to stay with your current AMS, you'll save money and you won't have any staff major disruptions. But you'll also have less functionality and maybe your staff has to work harder (e.g., create workarounds).
If you choose to switch to a new AMS, it'll cost you more money and be disruptive for many months, but at the end you'll likely have more functionality, less work for staff, and even a better experience for your members and customers.
But there's always a trade-off.
![]()
Wes's Wednesday Wisdom Archives
But are you really willing to change?
But are you really willing to change? When any organization is making a change in data management […]
Two tips for data conversion
Two Tips for Data Conversion I’ve written a lot about data conversion over the years […]
Who should “own” the database?
Who should “own” the database? One of the most common questions I get from my […]
What makes you weird?
What makes you weird? When I work with clients on selecting a new association management system, one […]
Why “AMS Consortiums” Don’t Work
Why “AMS Consortiums” Don’t Work About once a year I will get a call from […]
Your vendor will disappoint you
Your vendor will disappoint you I follow politics as a hobby. A past publisher from […]
Learn how to lose
Learn how to lose “Winning is great, sure, but if you are really going to […]
Ownership is Required
Ownership is required When asked for the most common reason AMS implementations fail, I typically respond […]
It’s all relative…
It’s all relative… Over the course of my 22 years of consulting, I’ve consulted with […]
Eliminate to optimize
Eliminate to optimize So much of data management is habit (both good and bad) which is […]
