We finally did it. We recorded a live podcast for the CRM Network HE.

Recorded on the 18 June 2025 during our annual conference (online again this year), we asked members to either agree or disagree with some contentious CRM-based statements. Are Open rates meaningless? Is the right time to send an email a myth? And does AI writer better copy than humans?

Listen in to hear the results!

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FEATURING:

Liz Smythe

Andy Ball

The CRM Network HE Membership!

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True CRM is a podcast production by the CRM Network HE, a collective of friendly CRM professionals working within Higher Education. For more info and to become a member visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://crmnetwork.org

A slight change this week as Richard Scothern, UK Client Care Manager at Azorus Inc, teleports aboard the Starship True CRM to discuss all things CRM from a supplier perspective. We discussed why Starbucks hates him, how Open Days are managed differently at Utrecht University, and the reality of testing and embedding AI chatbots...

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FEATURING:

Liz Smythe

Andy Ball

Richard Scothern

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True CRM is a podcast production by the CRM Network HE, a collective of friendly CRM professionals working within Higher Education. For more info and to become a member visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://crmnetwork.org

This week we welcomed Aimee Ellis, CRM Systems Lead at Ravensbourne University London, to the CRM treehouse at the bottom of Liz's garden. Find out what she looooves about working in CRM, how she gets her kicks from helping people solve problems, and her thoughts on the future...

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FEATURING:

Liz Smythe

Andy Ball

Aimee Ellis

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True CRM is a podcast production by the CRM Network HE, a collective of friendly CRM professionals working within Higher Education. For more info and to become a member visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://crmnetwork.org

This week we've got Christine Rirom from Cranfield University parachuting in behind enemy lines to the True CRM hidden base. Find out how she juggles BAU whilst migrating to a new CRM, what her devilish CRM superpower is, and what happens when there's an airplane crash evacuation simulation outside her office window!

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FEATURING:

Liz Smythe

Andy Ball

Christine Rirom

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True CRM is a podcast production by the CRM Network HE, a collective of friendly CRM professionals working within Higher Education. For more info and to become a member visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://crmnetwork.org

We're back! And this week we're welcoming Glen Read from the University of Nottingham into the True CRM bunker for a chat. Listen to find out what he enjoys about CRM, what the future holds for tech in HE, and how he made the move from Cricket to CRM!

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FEATURING:

Liz Smythe

Andy Ball

Glen Read

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True CRM is a podcast production by the CRM Network HE, a collective of friendly CRM professionals working within Higher Education. For more info and to become a member visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://crmnetwork.org

Today we're very happy to welcome Mr Josh Dale-Barton (Power Platform/Dynamics 365 Developer, Leeds Beckett University) for a chat about CRM. Josh shares with us how he started his career in CRM, his biggest mistake (!), and some very interesting thoughts on the future of AI in HE Marketing.

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FEATURING:

Liz Smythe

Andy Ball

Josh Dale-Barton

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True CRM is a podcast production by the CRM Network HE, a collective of friendly CRM professionals working within Higher Education. For more info and to become a member visit: ⁠⁠⁠https://crmnetwork.org

If you've worked with 'TheBlueCloud', then you'll probably know our guest this week, as we welcome Rupert Frankum (Digital Experience and Platforms Manager, University of Plymouth) for a discussion about all things CRM, including the biggest of all the questions: does CRM sit with Marketing or IT?

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FEATURING:

Liz Smythe

Andy Ball

Rupert Frankum

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True CRM is a podcast production by the CRM Network HE, a collective of friendly CRM professionals working within Higher Education. For more info and to become a member visit: ⁠⁠https://crmnetwork.org

For round two, we have the big boss in the room as Chair of the CRM Network HE, Richard Harrison (Digital Platform & Channel Manager, University of Warwick) joins us for a chat. We ask Richard how he developed a career in CRM, his thoughts on emerging trends, and what really makes him tick.

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FEATURING:

Liz Smythe

Andy Ball

Richard Harrison

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True CRM is a podcast production by the CRM Network HE, a collective of friendly CRM professionals working within Higher Education. For more info and to become a member visit: ⁠https://crmnetwork.org

For our first ever recording (exciting!), we welcomed Susan Lightfoot (CRM Manager, University of Westminster) to the True CRM bunker for a chat about her career, what she enjoys about CRM and what her typical (or non-typical) day is like.

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FEATURING:

Liz Smythe

Andy Ball

Susan Lightfoot

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True CRM is a podcast production by the CRM Network HE, a collective of friendly CRM professionals working within Higher Education. For more info and to become a member visit: https://crmnetwork.org