"Investing too early or too late can have significant consequences for a company's bottom line and competitive advantage"
Fernando Correa Tweet
Welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview with Fernando Correa, the CEO and Co-founder of Cargobot.
As an expert in the freight industry, Fernando brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. Today, we have the opportunity to delve into his entrepreneurial journey and gain insights into the innovative approach of Cargobot, an international inland freight technology company.
With a customer-centric focus and a mission to positively impact the relationship between shippers and carriers, Cargobot is revolutionizing the industry.
So let’s dive in and learn more about Fernando’s remarkable story and the exciting developments happening at Cargobot.
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Table of Contents
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company.
Fernando Correa: My name is Fernando, and I was born in Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain. I studied Business Administration and Management at the University of Madrid before moving to New York City in 2000.
With a diverse background in business management, consulting services, and sales across various banking and technology companies in the supply chain, I transitioned to the freight industry as the CEO of ITS Logistics, gaining knowledge of inland freight services.
Currently, I serve as the CEO and Co-founder at Cargobot, an international inland freight technology company that takes a customer-centric approach to positively impact the relationship between shippers and carriers.
If you were in an elevator with Warren Buffet, how would you describe your company, your services or products? What makes your company different from others? What is your company’s biggest strength?
Fernando Correa: Cargobot is an international freight technology company that’s disrupting the freight industry with our innovative solutions and services.
We’re passionate about improving the relationship between shippers and carriers and believe that this is essential to achieving profitability and productivity for all stakeholders.Our unique combinations of tech solutions and enhanced services are what set us apart from our competitors.
By partnering with carriers, strategic business partners, tech partners, and capacity partners, we can provide a comprehensive solution that positively impacts the shipping process from start to finish. We are an all-in-one platform; we are data and service-oriented to optimize shippers’ freight operations.
Our biggest strength lies in our diverse, multicultural team of industry experts. With extensive experience in freight brokerage, technology, and supply chain consulting services, our team is well-equipped to handle any challenge that comes our way.
As we expand globally, we’re continually growing our team and investing in our go-to market and roll-out strategy to ensure that we can deliver the best possible service to our customers.
At Cargobot, we’re committed to using technology to simplify the freight industry and create sustainable solutions. We believe that our mindful and ethical approach to resource management and sustainability is not only essential for the environment but also for the long-term success of our business.
We’re constantly working to develop user-friendly solutions that streamline logistics processes and reduce inefficiencies, empowering our clients to achieve their goals with greater ease and efficiency.
Overall, our mission is to build a better future for the freight industry and beyond by combining cutting-edge technology with a customer-centric approach and responsible resource management. We’re excited to be at the forefront of this transformation and look forward to continuing to deliver innovative solutions to our customers.
What advice do you wish you had received when you started your business journey and what do you intend on improving in the next quarter?
Fernando Correa: When we started our business journey, we were eager to adopt the latest technology in the freight industry. While we quickly realized that advanced tools and systems can improve efficiency, we’ve also learned that it’s the people behind the technology who make the biggest impact.
We wish we had received advice on the importance of striking the right balance between technology and people.
Now, we understand that while technology is essential, it’s not the only factor that matters to our customers. They value results and the positive impact our services can have on their businesses.
This means that we place a strong emphasis on understanding our clients’ unique challenges and finding tailored solutions to meet those needs, whether that’s through technology or other means.
As we continue to grow and expand globally, we remain committed to balancing technology and people. We invest in both our team’s skills and the latest tools and systems to deliver even better results for our clients. However, we also know that building strong, trusting relationships with our customers is crucial.
Our focus on delivering exceptional service and putting our customers’ needs first sets us apart and ensures our continued success. Moving forward, we intend to improve by continuously learning, adapting, and improving our approach to technology and people.
Here is a two-fold question: What is the book that influenced you the most and how? Please share some life lessons you learned. Now what book have you gifted the most and why?
Fernando Correa: While I do value books and have read many that have influenced me, I am more of a sports person, specifically a cyclist. Cycling has been a significant part of my life for many years, and it has taught me valuable lessons that I have applied to both my personal life and business.
One lesson I have learned through cycling is the importance of perseverance and discipline. Cycling can be challenging, and it requires a lot of practice and dedication to improve.
However, by setting goals, staying focused, and pushing through difficult times, I have been able to achieve things I never thought possible. These same principles apply to running a business. Perseverance and discipline are essential for overcoming obstacles and achieving success.
Cycling has also taught me the value of teamwork and collaboration. While cycling can be an individual sport, it often requires working with a team to achieve a common goal.
By learning to work together, communicating effectively, and supporting each other, I have been able to accomplish things that I could not have done alone. These same principles apply to running a business. Collaboration and teamwork are essential for achieving long-term success.
Interestingly enough, some of Cargobot’s investors were people I met while cycling. This just goes to show how cycling, or any sport for that matter, can bring people together and open up new opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Business is all about overcoming obstacles and creating opportunities for growth. What do you see as THE real challenge right now?
Fernando Correa: From a business perspective, the biggest challenge we’re currently facing is the fragmentation of the industry and the need for standardization to improve efficiency. We’re constantly looking for ways to leverage technology to streamline processes and reduce waste, which is critical for our bottom line.
However, from a human perspective, we understand that standardization can be limiting and may not always reflect the unique needs and values of individual customers. We recognize the importance of balancing efficiency with flexibility and a personalized approach, which is why we always prioritize understanding our client’s unique needs and finding tailored solutions.
While we’re committed to leveraging technology to improve our services and drive growth, we never lose sight of the fact that it’s the people behind the technology that truly make the difference.
By fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, we’re able to leverage the best of both worlds–cutting-edge tools and systems, and a team of talented, passionate individuals who are dedicated to delivering exceptional service and results.
Ultimately, we see challenges as opportunities for growth and innovation, and we’re constantly pushing ourselves to find new ways to improve and evolve. By embracing change and always keeping our customers’ needs and values at the forefront of everything we do, we’re confident that we can continue to succeed both as a business and as human beings.
In your experience, what tends to be the most underestimated part of running a company? Can you share an example?
Fernando Correa: In my experience, the most underestimated part of running a company is the importance of time management and the ability to adapt to change. This is particularly true in industries where technology and market trends can shift rapidly, requiring companies to constantly innovate and stay ahead of the curve.
For example, in the freight industry, there are many variables that can impact delivery times, such as weather, traffic, and customs delays.
Companies must be able to forecast and plan for these variables, while also developing and implementing new technologies to streamline processes and increase efficiency.
However, time management and adaptation aren’t just important within the company, they also play a crucial role in the relationships between actors in the industry. For instance, shippers, carriers, and customers all have different priorities and timelines, and it’s up to the company to balance these competing demands while still meeting its own goals.
Furthermore, the development and implementation of new technologies also require careful consideration of timing. Investing too early or too late can have significant consequences for a company’s bottom line and competitive advantage.
Therefore, it’s essential for companies to not only prioritize time management within their own operations but also to be aware of the varying time-related needs and priorities of all actors in the industry. By doing so, they can better navigate the ever-changing landscape of their industry and ultimately achieve long-term success.
What does “success” in 2023 mean to you? It could be on a personal or business level, please share your vision.
Fernando Correa: Success in 2023 for us is all about achieving significant growth and expansion while staying true to our core values of customer satisfaction, innovation, and sustainability.
Our focus on introducing a new approach to shipping execution through our concept of “mega plans” is one of the key drivers of our growth.
By providing our clients with end-to-end solutions that are tailored to their unique needs, we aim to streamline the shipping process and provide them with better visibility and control. Our commitment to digital minimalism ensures that the technology we use is simple, easy to use, and intuitive, making the shipping process as seamless as possible.
We believe that by delivering exceptional service and building strong relationships with our clients, we can achieve sustainable growth and make a positive impact on the freight industry.
As we continue to innovate and push boundaries, we’re excited to see where our journey takes us in the years to come. Every milestone is a cause for celebration, and we look forward to achieving many more successes in the future.
On a personal level, success in 2023 means continuing to grow and develop as a leader and building a team that is not only highly skilled but also passionate about our mission. It means being able to look back on our accomplishments with pride, knowing that we’ve made a real difference in the lives of our customers and the broader community.
Overall, success in 2023 means staying true to who we are, while also constantly pushing ourselves to be better and do better. And with every milestone we reach, we will raise a glass and toast to the exciting future ahead.
Jed Morley, VIP Contributor to ValiantCEO and the host of this interview would like to thank Fernando Correa for taking the time to do this interview and share his knowledge and experience with our readers.
If you would like to get in touch with Fernando Correa or his company, you can do it through his – Linkedin Page
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