Zylo

For many procurement pros, managing SaaS renewals can feel like navigating a black diamond slope with one ski. Without the right equipment, you’ll finish the run with bumps and bruises – if at all. Likewise, organizations often fall short with renewals due to a lack of process, resources, and data. In this episode, you’ll uncover common challenges with renewals, what a scalable process looks like, and how to prioritize where to spend your time.&nbsp;Have a question you’d like answered on SaaSMe Anything? Submit yours <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd46q9-lJRA1ZCGCmegXCXrGqSCXonMpZhQubNKEd_SWllLmw/viewform" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.&nbsp;Key Takeaways<ul><li>[00:07&nbsp;-&nbsp;01:15] Introduction: What's an effective strategy to maintain SaaS renewals?</li><li>[01:28&nbsp;-&nbsp;03:49] Wendy the Procurement Leader, and her struggle to manage SaaS renewals</li><li>[03:53&nbsp;-&nbsp;05:59] Operationalize your SaaS, tools and questions for a more effective strategy</li><li>[05:59&nbsp;-&nbsp;07:19] Prioritizing what to tackle in your SaaS management journey</li><li>[07:19&nbsp;-&nbsp;07:39] A spreadsheet is the bare minimum</li></ul>SaaSMe Anything is the bi-weekly podcast that brings clarity to the chaos of SaaS, hosted by your resident SaaS expert and Zylo co-founder Ben Pippenger. Connect with Ben on LinkedIn <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/benpipp" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.

In this episode, you’ll uncover common challenges with renewals, what a scalable process looks like, and how to prioritize where to spend your time. 


What’s an Effective Strategy to Manage My SaaS Renewals?

For many procurement pros, managing SaaS renewals can feel like navigating a black diamond slope with one ski. Without the right equipment, you’ll finish the run with bumps and bruises – if at all. Likewise, organizations often fall short with renewals due to a lack of process, resources, and data. In this episode, you’ll uncover common challenges with renewals, what a scalable process looks like, and how to prioritize where to spend your time. 


Why Zylo

Solutions

Customers

Resources

SaaS has taken over the world – and your organization. Skyrocketing innovation. Empowering workforces. Embracing flexibility. The future of software is here. But with it comes new challenges.SaaSMe Unfiltered brings you uncensored, real-life advice on what it takes to conquer SaaS management and optimization. For the IT, software asset management, and procurement professionals knee-deep in SaaS every single day. SaaS superheroes just like you.SaaSMe Anything brings clarity to the chaos of SaaS, where Zylo Co-founder Ben Pippenger breaks down your burning questions about SaaS and how to manage it.Brought to you weekly by Zylo, the industry leader in SaaS Management and experts that help organizations of all sizes manage, measure, and maximize the value of their SaaS.For free resources to help you on your SaaS management journey, visit <a href="https://zylo.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">zylo.com</a>.

SaaSMe Unfiltered: The SaaS Management Podcast

“Execute with precision and lead with a vision” is the mantra Shravya Ravi lives and breathes as a software asset management leader. From supporting software management strategies as a consultant at Deloitte to leading an innovative SaaS management program today at LinkedIn, Shravya is a powerhouse. In this episode, she shares the secrets to building your personal brand as a SAM leader – no matter your rank in the organization – and driving significant change and business results.Key Takeaways:<ul><li>[00:00&nbsp;-&nbsp;02:08] Introduction to Shravya Ravi</li><li>[02:20&nbsp;-&nbsp;05:01] How Shravya's background in consulting at Deloitte shaped her career path to leading SAM at LinkedIn</li><li>[05:01&nbsp;-&nbsp;06:55] The mindset SAM leaders need for the job going forward</li><li>[06:59&nbsp;-&nbsp;08:50] When Shravya realized SAM was multifaceted and more than on-prem</li><li>[08:51&nbsp;-&nbsp;12:08] Missteps in SaaS operations, no standardized way of running a SaaS program</li><li>[12:13&nbsp;-&nbsp;13:57] What skillsets are important for SaaS-minded SAM leaders considering innovative futures?</li><li>[13:59&nbsp;-&nbsp;16:43] Growing a personal brand within a company culture and inspiring trust</li><li>[18:01&nbsp;-&nbsp;19:58] Conveying strategy to partners and leadership: base skills, company culture, and expectations around outcomes</li><li>[19:58&nbsp;-&nbsp;22:06] Creating successful SaaS programs and enabling executive and functional leader sponsorship</li><li>[22:08&nbsp;-&nbsp;24:26] Prioritizing visibility in SaaS management, finding under-utilization and saving spend</li><li>[27:18&nbsp;-&nbsp;28:44] Education plans and steps taken to drive change management and app consolidation</li><li>[28:44&nbsp;-&nbsp;30:05] SaaS management can't be a one-person show, advice for testing pilot programs</li><li>[30:06&nbsp;-&nbsp;31:33] Where SAM is headed next as an industry and a practice</li><li>[31:35&nbsp;-&nbsp;33:18] Rapid Fire &amp; Closing</li></ul>

As the Manager of Asset Management at LinkedIn, I lead a team of professionals who are responsible for optimizing the IT assets and delivering value through compliance and efficiency to the organization. I have over 10 years of experience in hardware and software asset management, project management, and leadership, with certifications in PMP and SAM. Previously, I was a Senior Program Manager for IT Asset Management at Cruise and also worked at Deloitte for over nine years, where I helped clients achieve compliance, cost savings, and risk mitigation through software asset management, hardware asset management and license compliance. I am passionate about leveraging technology and data to drive business outcomes and innovation. I am also a Global Communications Co-chair for the Families at LinkedIn Employee Resource Group, where I support the mission of creating a culture of belonging and empowerment for working parents and caregivers. I am always eager to learn new skills, collaborate with diverse teams, and contribute to the vision and goals of my team and the broader organization.

Shravya Ravi 

Head of Software and IT Hardware Asset Management at LinkedIn

Learn the secret to building your personal brand from LinkedIn's software asset management leader, Shravya Ravi, and how you too can drive significant change and results in your business.


Shravya Ravi: Building Your Personal Brand as a Software Asset Management Leader

Building Your Personal Brand as a Software Asset Management Leader with Shravya Ravi

“Execute with precision and lead with a vision” is the mantra Shravya Ravi lives and breathes as a software asset management leader. From supporting software management strategies as a consultant at Deloitte to leading an innovative SaaS management program today at LinkedIn, Shravya is a powerhouse. In this episode, she shares the secrets to building your personal brand as a SAM leader – no matter your rank in the organization – and driving significant change and business results.


Overages, true-ups, rogue software purchases, and rising SaaS costs are just a few wrenches that can throw off your software budget. To meet your financial goals, it’s important to forecast your SaaS expenditure as accurately as possible – especially since it’s often your second or third largest spend category. In this episode, Ben Pippenger shares what steps you need to take to accurately budget for SaaS.Have a question you’d like answered on SaaSMe Anything? Submit yours <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd46q9-lJRA1ZCGCmegXCXrGqSCXonMpZhQubNKEd_SWllLmw/viewform" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.&nbsp;Key Takeaways:<ul><li>[00:09&nbsp;-&nbsp;00:34] Introduction: Why is budgeting so hard for SaaS?</li><li>[00:38&nbsp;-&nbsp;01:05] SaaS is expensive, and spend is only growing</li><li>[01:05&nbsp;-&nbsp;01:58] Why is budgeting for SaaS so hard?</li><li>[01:59&nbsp;-&nbsp;02:33] Inventory is the first step to a SaaS budget</li><li>[02:31&nbsp;-&nbsp;04:02] Guidelines for budgeting</li><li>[04:03&nbsp;-&nbsp;05:04] Understanding spend and benchmarking</li><li>[05:06&nbsp;-&nbsp;05:39] Recap</li><li>[05:39&nbsp;-&nbsp;05:58] Bottom Line </li></ul>SaaSMe Anything is the bi-weekly podcast that brings clarity to the chaos of SaaS, hosted by your resident SaaS expert and Zylo co-founder Ben Pippenger. Connect with Ben on LinkedIn <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/benpipp" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.

In this episode, Ben Pippenger shares what steps you need to take to accurately budget for SaaS – and ultimately help you meet your financial goals.


How Do I Accurately Budget for SaaS?

Overages, true-ups, rogue software purchases, and rising SaaS costs are just a few wrenches that can throw off your software budget. To meet your financial goals, it’s important to forecast your SaaS expenditure as accurately as possible – especially since it’s often your second or third largest spend category. In this episode, Ben Pippenger shares what steps you need to take to accurately budget for SaaS.


With all the potential threats to your organization, it’s easy to fall victim to the Chicken Little mentality. But expounding “the sky is falling” only drives you further from your security goals. That’s why seasoned Chief Information Security Officer Steve Gentry believes security leaders must be business leaders first. In this episode, Steve explains this philosophy, the importance of data over opinions, and how to drive efficiency across your organization with SaaS.Key Takeaways:<ul><li>[00:00&nbsp;-&nbsp;01:47] Introduction to Steve Gentry, CISO at Clari, and many-time founder</li><li>[01:58&nbsp;-&nbsp;04:23] How Steve got started in security at an IS service desk</li><li>[04:25&nbsp;-&nbsp;08:24] What's required to be a good CISO beyond the standard job description? Discussing Steve's business savvy.</li><li>[08:26&nbsp;-&nbsp;13:35] Why data is greater than opinion and how it helps Steve support more strategic operations</li><li>[13:41&nbsp;-&nbsp;18:16] Steve's go-to data sources and tools, and the role of data to a company</li><li>[18:16&nbsp;-&nbsp;22:38] Driving business alignment with executives using data</li><li>[22:38&nbsp;-&nbsp;25:43] Building a foundation for success with data, and recognizing growth with operational efficiencies</li><li>[26:43&nbsp;-&nbsp;31:10] Agility, and why Steve's gone all in on SaaS management tools instead of running off manual tracking and spreadsheets</li><li>[31:17&nbsp;-&nbsp;34:22] Third party risk management, why is it so strategic to most businesses?</li><li>[34:22&nbsp;-&nbsp;38:28] Staying on top of the entirety of risk management, security. How great vendors and other resources simplify the process</li><li>[38:29&nbsp;-&nbsp;41:03] A focus on diligence, leveraging insights and automations in SaaS management</li><li>[41:01&nbsp;-&nbsp;44:22] Should CISOs report directly to a company's CEO?</li><li>[44:22&nbsp;-&nbsp;46:12] Mentorship and what future CISOs need to do to prepare for the next step in their career</li><li>[46:17&nbsp;-&nbsp;49:23] Rapid fire questions and closing</li></ul>

Security is not about technology! My passion for data protection started in the 90s without me realizing that was the path I was headed down. I found it fascinating that lengths people would go to skirt around IT controls. I found myself asking questions to understand why they did what they did. This is what formed my belief that my primary role in Security & Privacy is to be an educator and helped me focus on meeting business objectives instead of checking a security box.

My passion has led me to take on new challenges including public speaking engagements and starting my own security practice years ago. I wanted the opportunity to learn from others while sharing the lessons I have learned over the years without requiring others to reinvent the wheel. I also believe it is my responsibility to mentor the next generation of security and privacy professionals to meet the needs of the companies they work for, teaching them to be business professionals first, data protection practitioners second.

Steve Gentry

Former Chief Information Security Officer, Clari

It’s easy for CISOs to fall victim to the Chicken Little mentality. But it’s counterproductive. In this episode, learn how to be a business leader that drives results.


Steve Gentry: Why CISOs Need to Drop the Chicken Little Mentality & Focus on Being Business Leaders

CISOs: Drop the Chicken Little Mentality. Be a Business Leader.

With all the potential threats to your organization, it’s easy to fall victim to the Chicken Little mentality. But expounding “the sky is falling” only drives you further from your security goals. That’s why seasoned Chief Information Security Officer Steve Gentry believes security leaders must be business leaders first. In this episode, Steve explains this philosophy, the importance of data over opinions, and how to drive efficiency across your organization with SaaS.


If you feel like software is costing you more and more, it’s not a figment of your imagination. It’s a real phenomenon – and according to Gartner will continue at a rate of 15-20% annually. How do you curb steep and unexpected price increases at renewal time? Set a price cap in your SaaS contract. In this episode, Ben Pippenger explains what price caps are, why they’re important, and tips to determine the best price cap for your business.Have a question you’d like answered on SaaSMe Anything? Submit yours <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd46q9-lJRA1ZCGCmegXCXrGqSCXonMpZhQubNKEd_SWllLmw/viewform" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.&nbsp;Key Takeaways:<ul><li>[00:08-00:29] Introduction</li><li>[0:29-01:18] What is a price cap?</li><li>[01:19-01:41] What a price cap covers</li><li>[01:42-02:09] Potential risks to consider</li><li>[02:11-03:09] How you can leverage the right price cap</li><li>[04:16-04:37] If you’re NOT negotiating Saas price caps, you should be</li></ul>SaaSMe Anything is the bi-weekly podcast that brings clarity to the chaos of SaaS, hosted by your resident SaaS expert and Zylo co-founder Ben Pippenger. Connect with Ben on LinkedIn <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/benpipp" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.

Setting a price cap in your SaaS contracts can help you curb steep and unexpected price increases. Learn how to determine the best price cap for your business.


How Do I Leverage Price Caps in My SaaS Contracts?

If you feel like software is costing you more and more, it’s not a figment of your imagination. It’s a real phenomenon – and according to Gartner will continue at a rate of 15-20% annually. How do you curb steep and unexpected price increases at renewal time? Set a price cap in your SaaS contract. In this episode, Ben Pippenger explains what price caps are, why they’re important, and tips to determine the best price cap for your business.


If you’re wondering whether SaaS management is a must-have or nice-to-have, you’re not alone. As we look back at our guests from the past few seasons, each one has had a unique journey finding the answer for themselves. In this episode, we’ve compiled some of our favorite SaaSMe Unfiltered moments&nbsp; – stories of stumbling through “oh shit” moments, building a business case and how SaaS management became a priority. Key Takeaways:<ul><li>[01:58&nbsp;-&nbsp;04:34] Karen Hodson on getting the right data</li><li>[05:19&nbsp;-&nbsp;06:59] Lindsay Stokes on the importance of visibility for SaaS management</li><li>[07:36&nbsp;-&nbsp;10:51] Jason Owens big "Oh Crap!" moment</li><li>[11:27&nbsp;-&nbsp;13:46] Chris Asing on achieving visibility and optimization</li><li>[14:18&nbsp;-&nbsp;16:25] David Stoicescu on why starting a SaaS management program early can give you a headstart</li><li>[17:33&nbsp;-&nbsp;20:21] Russell Lester on opportunity for finance leaders</li><li>[21:03&nbsp;-&nbsp;25:18] Gordon Atkin on must-have components for effective SaaS management</li></ul>

Is SaaS management a must-have or nice-to-have? Discover the answer from the IT, SAM, Procurement and Finance leaders with first-hand experience.


SaaS Management: Must-Have or Nice-to-Have, That Is the Question

If you’re wondering whether SaaS management is a must-have or nice-to-have, you’re not alone. As we look back at our guests from the past few seasons, each one has had a unique journey finding the answer for themselves. In this episode, we’ve compiled some of our favorite SaaSMe Unfiltered moments  – stories of stumbling through “oh shit” moments, building a business case and how SaaS management became a priority.


SaaS management is not just a function of IT. It requires a partnership with Finance to be a successful business-led initiative. But sometimes it can be daunting to approach your CFO to get buy-in. In this episode, you’ll learn why SaaS is a challenge for CFOs, the importance of getting them on board, and a blueprint of the business case to get your CFO to say ‘yes’ to a SaaS management platform.Have a question you’d like answered on SaaSMe Anything? Submit yours&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd46q9-lJRA1ZCGCmegXCXrGqSCXonMpZhQubNKEd_SWllLmw/viewform" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.&nbsp;Key Takeaways<ul><li>[00:07&nbsp;-&nbsp;01:11] Saying "Yes" to SaaS management, and introducing Jason Leet</li><li>[01:15&nbsp;-&nbsp;04:48] Ben outlines five key challenges in SaaS management for CFOs</li><li>[05:00&nbsp;-&nbsp;06:28] Jason shares examples and pain points with SaaS</li><li>[06:32&nbsp;-&nbsp;08:06] How CIOs and CFOs can work together to solve SaaS management problems</li><li>[08:12&nbsp;-&nbsp;18:04] Roleplaying a conversation between an IT leader and CFO about SaaS management approval</li></ul>SaaSMe Anything is the bi-weekly podcast that brings clarity to the chaos of SaaS, hosted by your resident SaaS expert and Zylo co-founder Ben Pippenger. Connect with Ben on LinkedIn&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/benpipp" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.

Jason Leet

Chief Financial Officer at Zylo

In this episode, learn why SaaS management matters to CFOs, why buy-in is key, and how to build the business case that gets them to say ‘yes’ to a platform.


How Do I Get My CFO to Say 'Yes' to SaaS Management?

SaaS management is not just a function of IT. It requires a partnership with Finance to be a successful business-led initiative. But sometimes it can be daunting to approach your CFO to get buy-in. In this episode, you’ll learn why SaaS is a challenge for CFOs, the importance of getting them on board, and a blueprint of the business case to get your CFO to say ‘yes’ to a SaaS management platform.


Recent Episodes

SEASON 3

Shravya Ravi: Building Your Personal Brand as a Software Asset Management Leader

How Do I Accurately Budget for SaaS?

Steve Gentry: Why CISOs Need to Drop the Chicken Little Mentality & Focus on Being Business Leaders

How Do I Leverage Price Caps in My SaaS Contracts?

SaaS Management: Must-Have or Nice-to-Have, That Is the Question

How Do I Get My CFO to Say 'Yes' to SaaS Management?

About The Show

SaaSMe Unfiltered: The SaaS Management Podcast

Ben Pippenger

Co-Founder, Chief Strategy Officer

Cory Wheeler

Co-Founder & Chief Customer Officer

Meredith Albertson

Chief Marketing Officer