With Netflix’s mission to “entertain the world”, the company culture has a deep-rooted effect on how they manage SaaS. But how do you balance tool autonomy with cost-saving initiatives? In this episode, IT Asset Program Manager Lindsay Stokes sheds light on Netflix’s Freedom & Responsibility approach and how they’re addressing the abundant cost-saving opportunities at their fingertips today – and long-term.

Episode Highlights

• [00:00 - 02:07] Episode introduction
• [02:43 - 06:16] Hot Takes with Thom: Why don't homegrown tools cut it for SaaS?
• [06:20 - 11:25] Lindsay's journey building and leading SAM at Netflix
• [11:40 - 13:54] Netflix employee enablement and reining in SaaS sprawl
• [13:55 - 15:31] The intricacies of managing SaaS organizationally: waste and redundancies
• [15:35 - 17:20] Netflix's process of getting actionable data with Zylo
• [17:23 - 19:55] The fundamentals and priorities of SaaS management at Netflix
• [19:57 - 22:29] Balancing cost optimization with freedom and responsibility
• [22:30 - 23:51] A proactive versus reactive perspective
• [23:55 - 26:13] Lindsay's role in helping application managers manage SaaS and spend
• [26:17 - 28:02] Critical ingredients for success in SaaS
• [28:04 - 30:43] Missteps and misadventures in addressing SaaS strategies
• [30:52 - 32:36] Rapid Fire