From Skepticism to Trust—How Cypress HCM Became Supercell’s Go-To Staffing Partner

When it comes to developing some of the world’s most popular mobile games, Supercell’s motto is simple: “The best teams make the best games.” With offices spread across the globe, the company has always prioritized building strong, creative teams that can turn innovative visions into reality. But behind every great team is an effective talent acquisition strategy, and that’s where Patrick Cronin, a People Partner at Supercell, plays a crucial role.

Since joining Supercell in 2015, Patrick has overseen all aspects of talent acquisition and people management. With a background in staffing, he understands the challenges of finding the right talent to fit Supercell’s unique culture.

Early on, he engaged a smaller staffing firm to help source talent, but the results were far from satisfactory. The firm didn’t fully grasp Supercell’s specific needs, leaving Patrick searching for a better solution.

When Patrick hired a former colleague from LinkedIn as a contract recruiter, he realized that Supercell didn’t have a staffing firm to manage payroll. One of his employees recommended Cypress HCM. Given his extensive experience with staffing firms, Patrick was skeptical that this experience would be any different. “I have an incredibly high bar when it comes to staffing,” he admitted.

Despite his initial trepidation, Patrick decided to give Cypress a chance. What happened next would not only challenge his expectations but also lay the foundation for a partnership that would significantly bolster Supercell’s talent acquisition strategy.

Proving Value from the Start

Patrick’s initial skepticism about working with Cypress was understandable, given his extensive experience in the staffing industry. “I was hesitant for sure at the beginning,” he said.

While Patrick had confidence in his choice of candidate, he needed Cypress to manage the payroll. His expectations were low, anticipating the usual high markups and vague responses he’d encountered with other staffing firms. However, Cypress immediately proved different. “I expected the markup to be exorbitant, but it wasn’t,” Patrick noted.

Unlike other firms that often hesitated to disclose pay rates and focused solely on their markup, Cypress was transparent. They agreed to pay the contractor exactly what Patrick wanted, with their markup clearly defined as part of the payroll service. This level of honesty and cooperation set the tone for a relationship built on trust.

Over time, Patrick found himself relying on Cypress more frequently. Initially, they handled payroll services for several contract roles that Patrick had sourced independently. He was pleased to discover that Cypress wasn’t just meeting expectations—they were exceeding them. The employees they payrolled consistently reported positive experiences, highlighting how approachable and supportive the Cypress team was. “There were no complaints, which is very surprising from a temp working for a staffing firm,” Patrick observed.

Cypress’s dedication to going above and beyond became particularly evident when one of the contractors needed insurance coverage for his family. Patrick was shocked to learn that the employee didn’t have any insurance due to affordability issues. Concerned, Patrick asked Cypress if they could help. The team quickly assembled a comprehensive benefits package tailored to the employee’s needs. When the employee initially hesitated to sign up, Cypress took it upon themselves to ensure the contractor received the coverage, following up personally until it was done.

As Patrick continued to work with Cypress, their consistent delivery of value solidified his trust in them. So when it came time to recruit additional contract resources, Cypress was his first call.

The Art of Finding the Right Talent

Patrick wanted to hire a junior candidate who could grow with Supercell—someone who could start in a temporary role but had the potential to take on more responsibility over time. He turned to Cypress with this specific need, and they delivered beyond his expectations. “I told them what I needed, and they just listened,” Patrick said. “They gave me three candidates and one of them stood out. I thought, ‘How did they find her? She’s really good.’ She came in as a temp for three months, and now she’s been here seven years. We converted her, and she’s been promoted several times.”

Cypress’s adaptability and attention to detail shined through in other instances as well. When Patrick needed to replace someone internally, the situation was highly confidential. He couldn’t conduct interviews in the office, so Cypress arranged everything, renting a nearby room and managing the process seamlessly. “They orchestrated everything so well,” Patrick noted. “I came in, and their team was waiting outside. They brought the candidates in, and the interviews were conducted with no pressure, no sales pitch—just pure professionalism.”

Cypress continued to surprise Patrick, even in areas where he doubted they could deliver. When he needed support for administrative and accounting roles, Patrick initially thought he’d have to turn to larger firms. Yet, Cypress pulled through again. “I thought such a small firm wouldn’t be able to do this,” Patrick admitted. “But they just kept surprising me. They somehow pull these great people out of the blue.”

Patrick’s experience with Cypress has been a powerful example of the firm’s unique approach in an industry he knows well. “I’ve never met a staffing firm like them,” he said. “And I’ve worked with a lot of big ones—I was a VP for one of them. I know how hard this business is, yet they just pull through over and over again.”

Unwavering Trust and Reliability

One of the most remarkable aspects of Cypress HCM’s service, according to Patrick, has been their exceptional speed and reliability. “The time to hire has always blown me away,” Patrick noted. The retention rates speak for themselves. The first candidate Cypress placed at Supercell has been with the company for nearly seven years, a testament to the quality of hires they provide. “She was super junior when she started, and now she’s not. It’s fantastic,” Patrick added.

For a smaller firm, Cypress’s response time is nothing short of impressive. Patrick was continually surprised by how quickly they could respond to his needs. “I never, ever wait 24 hours to hear from them. It’s always within an hour or two,” he said. This rapid response has been crucial in maintaining the momentum of Supercell’s talent acquisition efforts, ensuring that the company can grow and adapt swiftly.

But what truly sets Cypress apart in Patrick’s eyes is their honesty. “I trust them completely, and the reason I trust them is that they’ve been able to perform. But most importantly, when they couldn’t, they told me they couldn’t,” he explained. In an industry where overpromising and under-delivering are all too common, Cypress’s straightforwardness was a breath of fresh air.

For Patrick, Cypress HCM has not only been a partner in navigating the complexities of talent acquisition but a dependable ally that has made his job easier and more effective at every turn.