In this episode of the AI Automation Podcast, host Michael is joined by Matthias Frank — automation strategist and CRM workflow expert. Together, they dive into the powerful world of CRM automations and how AI is reshaping the speed and strategy of lead conversion.
Matthias reveals a plug-and-play automation system that any business with a structured CRM can implement—regardless of platform. Whether you're using Notion, ClickUp, Airtable, or another system, these insights will help you enrich leads, respond instantly, and build smarter workflows.
The conversation also explores the future of no-code tools, the declining uniqueness of platforms like Zapier and Make, and why understanding your manual process is key before scaling with AI.
Timestamps:
00:00 – The struggle of no-code automation tools in the AI era
00:35 – Introduction to Matthias Frank
01:30 – Why CRMs need automation today
03:00 – Tool-agnostic workflows: Notion, ClickUp, Airtable
04:45 – The power of AI-built custom workflows
06:00 – Blueprinting and transferring automations
07:55 – API-first thinking and tool lock-in myths
09:00 – Real-world lead enrichment and email automation
11:45 – Using AI to qualify leads and draft personalized replies
14:00 – Automating follow-ups with AI agents
15:30 – Speed-to-response: Why it drives $180K+ in business
16:40 – AI’s role in identifying sales-ready leads
17:50 – Final thoughts: Build manual first, then automate
Key Points:
Top Quote:
"Don’t use a chainsaw if you can’t swing an axe." – Matthias Frank
Guest Links:
1. https://matthiasfrank.de/
2. https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthiasfrankprofile/
3. https://twitter.com/MFreihaendig
4. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW305WqEev0aujh9Aq-eNSQ
