Avoiding “lock in” everywhere
Theo Salvo
@TheodoreJSalvo
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What’s your
Exit Strategy?

@TheodoreJSalvoWhat’s your Exit Strategy?
Agenda
NOT branded
NOT (entirely) a history lesson
NOT just about technology
NOT magic
BONUS: recording features a drinking game
for every time I say “lock in”
!
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@TheodoreJSalvoWhat’s your Exit Strategy?
“an arrangement according to which a person or
company is obliged to deal only with a specific company”
What is “lock in”?
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@TheodoreJSalvoWhat’s your Exit Strategy?
EXAMPLES
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@TheodoreJSalvoWhat’s your Exit Strategy? 5

@TheodoreJSalvoWhat’s your Exit Strategy? 6

@TheodoreJSalvoWhat’s your Exit Strategy? 7

@TheodoreJSalvoWhat’s your Exit Strategy? 8

@TheodoreJSalvoWhat’s your Exit Strategy?
A problem has been detected and your printer has been
shut down to force you to buy another printer.
The problem seems to be caused by the following:
SPENT_TOO_MUCH_ON_PRINTER_INK_AND_TONER_EXCEPTION
If this is the first time you’ve seen this error, feel
lucky. Your grandparents simply buy a new printer every
month then call you over to install the new drivers.
If problems continue, consider saving trees by not
printing...but continue to buy printer ink so we can
keep collecting a paycheck.
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@TheodoreJSalvoWhat’s your Exit Strategy? 10

@TheodoreJSalvoWhat’s your Exit Strategy?
WHAT??!?wait…
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@TheodoreJSalvoWhat’s your Exit Strategy?
lock in
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@TheodoreJSalvoWhat’s your Exit Strategy?
is
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@TheodoreJSalvoWhat’s your Exit Strategy?
everywhere
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@TheodoreJSalvoWhat’s your Exit Strategy?
Why do companies use “lock in”?
Commitment Deals Proof of Concept Technical Debt
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@TheodoreJSalvoWhat’s your Exit Strategy?
Is there a benefit to me?
Simplicity
Job Security
Static cost
Less Learning Curve
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@TheodoreJSalvoWhat’s your Exit Strategy?
Am I locked in?
Can you leave?
What happens to YOUR EMPLOYER if you do?
What happens to YOU if you do?
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@TheodoreJSalvoWhat’s your Exit Strategy?
How “locked in” am I?
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TRUE FALSEOR

@TheodoreJSalvoWhat’s your Exit Strategy?
How “locked in” am I?
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How “locked in” am I?

@TheodoreJSalvoWhat’s your Exit Strategy?
How “locked in” am I?
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?

@TheodoreJSalvoWhat’s your Exit Strategy?
How “locked in” am I?
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@TheodoreJSalvoWhat’s your Exit Strategy?
Preventing “lock in”
Take a note from Dave Ramsey:
The power of “no”
“That's not good enough”
Negotiating isn’t always about
salary
Shop around
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@TheodoreJSalvoWhat’s your Exit Strategy?
What to do if you’re locked in
Option A: Nothing.
Is it a bad thing?
Can you spend time on unlocking right now?
How much does it cost if you don’t?
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@TheodoreJSalvoWhat’s your Exit Strategy?
What to do if you’re locked in
Option B: Something.
Replace the product or service/leave
Renegotiate
Create an …
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@TheodoreJSalvoWhat’s your Exit Strategy?
Exit Strategy
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@TheodoreJSalvoWhat’s your Exit Strategy?
DAY 1
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(After the Evaluation)
When do I start my Exit Strategy?

@TheodoreJSalvoWhat’s your Exit Strategy? 27
Secret template for Exit Strategy
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@TheodoreJSalvoWhat’s your Exit Strategy? 28
Constantly update your résumé
Architecture Diagrams
Rack Diagrams
CMDBs
Inventories
Journal
Speaking CV
Résumé
LinkedIn/GitHub/
Stack Overflow
Personal Website

@TheodoreJSalvoWhat’s your Exit Strategy? 29
Build a Network

@TheodoreJSalvoWhat’s your Exit Strategy? 30
Plan tomorrow’s plan…today
What’s your current job?
What’s your dream job?
How do you get there?

@TheodoreJSalvoWhat’s your Exit Strategy? 31
Plan tomorrow’s plan…today
What’s your current job?
What’s your dream job?
How do you get there?
Current State Desired State➤

@TheodoreJSalvoWhat’s your Exit Strategy? 32
Time to go
GOOD
BAD
amazon.jobs

@TheodoreJSalvoWhat’s your Exit Strategy? 33
Time to go
PROS CONS

@TheodoreJSalvoWhat’s your Exit Strategy?
"A goal without a plan is just a wish."
–Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
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@TheodoreJSalvoWhat’s your Exit Strategy?
THANK YOU
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