Why I left Zencargo
Whilst I am exploring my next adventure, I want to reflect on the wonderful 4 years and 5 months I had with an amazing team and address the most frequently asked question: why did I leave.
March 12th, 2021, was my last day at Zencargo as CTO.
I never felt more valued, loved, stretched, challenged, respected, and inspired in my work life than in my time as a Zenian.
When I started to write down special thanks for individuals, I realized again: making some people win (elevated) means other people lose (lowered). Being radically inclusive is hard. Thank you all for so many epic moments and for being a big and happy part of my life. You truly transformed me.
I’ll probably sing along every Friday to our unofficial hymn:
My decision to leave
I want to plant many seeds and impact more businesses and people, making culture their sustainable advantage.
Not people are companies greatest asset, but their culture is (or their greatest liability). It’s certainly been the glue that holds Zencargo together while scaling up. I feel accomplished because I made a big contribution to Zencargo’s culture. I’ve built a company to last and something greater than the sum of its parts.
Since last year, I’ve been working on my succession and found great people in Tamir Strauss and Tim Ball to bring Zencargo from here to there. I’ve learned so much from them quickly and will keep in touch as I still am a shareholder in the company.
I'm excited to start something new to accelerate my learning and increase my network by meeting more people, hopefully transforming company cultures better by growing brave leaders and building a courageous and inclusive culture.
Without the support of my co-founders Alex and Richard, the SMT, and our investors, it would have been hard to step out of the crazy rollercoaster and spend time thinking about my future. I thank my team for supporting me in my decision.
About Zencargo
Alex, Richard, and I started Zencargo in “The Koppel Project” (an art cafe in Baker Street) back in December 2016. Our first employee was freaking out when they realized that we don’t have an office yet.
In March 2021, we are approx 160 people building a world with smarter trade.
Zencargo is a thought leader in the global supply chain optimization industry and turning around seven digits per month in revenue, bringing people closer together.
Zencargo makes a real difference.
Zencargo reduces landfills globally by reducing over-capacities in warehouses due to high-quality data.
Zencargo reduces emissions by improving decisions. Choosing to airfreight something because mistakes are made in the supply chain is entirely avoidable CO2 that they highlight
Zencargo improves mental health. Working in supply chains is hard. Not responding to an email in time will have a knock-on effect in another time zone. This stress to constantly react has a huge burden on people's mental health. Zencargo gives operations tools to be more strategic.
Global supply chains are a major contributor to world peace, and Zencargo brings global supply chains closer together. Despite the rise in investments in the arms industry, the interdependence on global trade secures our lives.
I’m super proud about how we helped our customers during the COVID-19 pandemic and how we’ve been fast responders, shipping essential personal protective equipment (PPE) to National Health Service workers.
We’ve scooped the Sunday Times Tech Track: Ones To Watch Award and have been recognized as one of the fastest-growing companies in the UK by being nominated for Tech Nation Upscale Program (Cohort 5).
We’re backed by Holzbrinck Ventures (HV) and LocalGlobe (LG). I thank our investors for believing and investing in us.