Cargosnap’s evolution and the fastest hire in history

You've probably seen our case studies before, where we brag (although it’s all true) about how awesome our projects are. But let's be honest, wouldn't you rather hear it straight from the customer's mouth? That's why we sat down with Marcel Merkx and Jasper den Hartog, the masterminds behind Cargosnap, and one of our clients. We dove into their incredible growth journey and what made them decide to join forces with RocketX. Get ready for some real talk about scaling a business and why the right partner can make all the difference!

How the journey of Cargosnap began

The world of logistics is a pressure cooker – every second, every inch matters. That's where Cargosnap entered the market in 2016, determined to be a game-changer. Founder Marcel saw the complexities of shipping and decided to tackle them head-on. “Cargosnap streamlines logistics by capturing and documenting cargo and vehicle conditions,” explained Marcel. 

What began as a side project quickly evolved into a full-fledged company, driven by Marcel's relentless pursuit of product excellence and customer satisfaction. Cargosnap quickly started gaining traction. As clients started to engage with the platform, they not only stuck around but became avid supporters, recognising the immense value Cargosnap offered.

Meanwhile, fate intervened for Marcel at the most unexpected place: the school playground. Jasper took up the story, “Having recently exited my previous venture, I found myself in conversation with Marcel about our respective projects. This unexpected encounter sparked a series of discussions, and ultimately, the realisation that our combined expertise held significant growth potential.” 

“And the rest is history,” Marcel jokingly added.

A four-year growth spurt

By the time Jasper joined, the team consisted of four employees, marking the beginning of a significant growth phase. Fast-forward to 2020, the team had expanded to 24 members. A testament to the remarkable progress made over the four-year period. Jasper adds a touch of humour, noting that the actual number of hires likely exceeded the team's growth by 20 due to natural turnover. “Team building is an ongoing process in a growing company,” he observed.

In the early days, they relied heavily on networking and chance encounters to fill roles. “We'd find talented people through our professional circles, and even at the school playground,” Jasper laughed. Both Marcel and Jasper were deeply involved in the hiring process, personally reviewing resumes and conducting interviews. Jasper estimated that they dedicated a significant portion of their time, “between 10 and 20 percent.”

Despite their impressive team growth, building the dream team wasn't exactly a walk in the park. “Especially in the early days, tight budgets meant compromises,” Jasper admitted. “We needed skilled people, but resources were limited. Sometimes that led to mishires, which slowed us down.” However, even with a bigger budget, recruitment remained a battle, especially for developer roles. “Finding developers is like searching for unicorns,” Marcel commented. “There just aren't enough of them, and the good ones? They're not actively looking for jobs.” Jasper elaborated, “They get bombarded with messages from recruiters all the time. It's like white noise to them.” Platforms like LinkedIn, a goldmine for most recruiters, weren't as effective for finding developers.

And as Cargosnap's revenue climbed, so did their ambition. They needed more experienced professionals to take the company to the next level.

Finding the five-legged sheep

But hiring developers wasn’t the only challenge they were facing. As Jasper explained, “We noticed a trend – a lot of our clients came in through inbound channels, not traditional sales outreach.” This sparked a strategic shift. “We needed a marketing expert who understood SaaS and international markets. In short, we were looking for the five-legged sheep,” Jasper elaborated. The quest for a dedicated marketing hire presented a new challenge — the five-legged sheep doesn't really exist. Here's where the story took a turn.

Jasper continued, “We decided to explore RocketRevenue the revenue label of RocketX Group. This collaboration provided valuable insights. They helped us understand the ideal composition of our marketing team.” After a year of learning and strategising with RocketRevenue, Cargosnap opted to build their marketing team internally. Yet, the talent hunt continued. “Finding the right fit proved difficult, on both the developer and marketing fronts,” Marcel admitted. That's when we transitioned to RocketPeople, the recruitment label of RocketX. 

Setting the stage for success — The onboarding process

Before diving head first into recruitment, RocketPeople took the lead in setting up a comprehensive onboarding process. This ensured everyone was on the same page when it came to recruiting the right talent. A process that was cheered upon by Marcel and Jasper.

“There were two key areas where RocketPeople's expertise proved valuable from the start,” Jasper explained. “First, they understood the importance of aligning their recruitment efforts with Cargosnap's DNA – our mission, values, and company culture. To ensure they identify candidates who will truly thrive here.” Jasper continued, “Second, they recommended a collaborative approach to defining the ideal candidate profile for each position. We worked together to pinpoint the required skills and experience for success.” He concluded, “This is where RocketPeople's structured approach truly shined. They had comprehensive playbooks for every step in the process, ensuring a smooth and efficient onboarding experience for everyone involved.”

"Amsterdamse bekkies"

Reflecting on their experience with RocketPeople, Marcel and Jasper highlighted several key aspects that made RocketPeople a valuable partner for Cargosnap's growth. First and foremost, they appreciated RocketPeople's unwavering focus on quality. “It isn’t just about filling positions”, Marcel emphasized. “They mirrored our own commitment to excellence.” Jasper praises RocketPeople's consistent and efficient approach. “There was a rhythm to their work, a steady pace that kept things moving smoothly. Every Friday, they'd give us a rundown of their progress and answer any questions, making the whole process super transparent,” he explained.  “This reliability was invaluable amidst the daily challenges we faced. RocketPeople brought a sense of stability and assurance to our recruitment processes.”

Marcel described RocketPeople's style as bold and assertive, much like the dynamic energy of Amsterdam itself. This boldness brought a fresh perspective, enriching Cargosnap's experience and even inspiring them to adopt a similar mindset within their own operations. Finally, with a chuckle, Jasper referred to RocketPeople's communication style as "Amsterdamse bekkies" – a Dutch expression for speaking directly and candidly. This resonated well with Cargosnap. “It facilitated clear and effective communication, which ultimately strengthened our partnership,” Jasper concluded.

Jasper also emphasized the importance of open communication throughout the recruitment process. “Honest and transparent dialogue was key,” he stressed. “I appreciated RocketPeople's willingness to listen to our feedback and adjust their approach accordingly. It felt like a true collaboration aimed at achieving the best possible hiring outcomes.” Overall, while they encountered some hurdles during the process, both Marcel and Jasper acknowledged RocketPeople's proactive approach and commitment to improving candidate quality through open communication and feedback.

On a lighter note, Jasper shared, “RocketPeople really came through for us. We've already hired two software engineers and a Customer Success Lead in Utrecht, along with a Digital Marketing Manager in our Athens office with their help. In fact, we might have set a new record for our quickest hire in RocketPeople history. Sometimes you just know when you've found the perfect fit right away, and that's exactly what happened with one candidate.”

When and why to partner with RocketPeople

With their experience in mind, Marcel and Jasper offered valuable insights for companies considering RocketPeople. “We find the sweet spot lies with companies like us,” explained Marcel. “Think SaaS startups in the growth phase, whether your team is transitioning from 20 to 50 people or beyond. As you scale, specific roles become trickier to fill – that's where RocketPeople’s expertise comes in.”

Jasper emphasized the benefits of outsourcing for hard-to-find talent, “Many companies, like us, don't have dedicated internal recruiters. RocketPeople’s diverse team acts as an extension of yours, bringing a wider range of competencies and network. They help us move beyond waiting for inbound applicants and actively hunt down the perfect fit.”

“Sure, there's still a time investment, but on other things,” Marcel acknowledged, even with RocketPeople. “But the quality of candidates they source allows us to allocate our time more effectively.” He elaborated, “With better-quality candidates, we can focus on refining the selection process and ensuring technical compatibility, rather than sifting through endless applications.”

Jasper agreed, saying, “Even if the process becomes more efficient as we scale, it will still require time. And that’s okay, people are the most critical aspect of our operations. Finding the right candidate can have a major impact on our team's productivity.” He echoed Marcel's sentiment regarding quality: “It's not about quantity – one outstanding candidate can transform our team dynamics and workload.”

Cargosnap's story is a testament to the power of finding the right partner for growth. Are you ready to embark on your own journey of success? Explore how RocketPeople can help you find the talent you need to take your business to the next level.