November 15, 2024 

To Whom it May Concern: 

It has now been 8 weeks since our second engagement with Cogent Analytics began, and we are more encouraged and focused than ever before. After completing our first experience with their consulting team we grew from $1.5M in sales to $3.5M and purchased a new facility. This was accomplished in 5 short years, despite the pandemic, which caused an interruption in operation for weeks.  

Even though we knew the value of their insights it was not an easy decision to bring them back. We knew their in-depth analysis of our operation would result in recommendations to change and change is hard.  As our second on-site engagement ends, we are already seeing significant improvements and results that will propel us to even more profitable growth. 

We are confident that Peter Zurn’s dedication, as our Project Director, and his knowledge has made an invaluable contribution to our future success. He has spent several weeks on site with our team, developing and training our staff to think BIG and dive into data that is vital to any company’s profitable growth. He has spent countless hours working on our Labor Burden to ensure we are profitable when we bid jobs. Peter has worked with us to prepare a comprehensive budget to help us recognize quickly if we are veering away from the plan and has helped us develop necessary actions to correct course, should that happen. He and the Cogent Team have created tools to help us forecast our cash-flow, allowing us to see down the road so we can know where and when to take action. They have dug deeply into our financials, helping us to make improvements in our bottom line. Peter has also worked tirelessly to help us move from a compensation plan that depended more on —- to rewarding our team for their merit by using Key Performance Indicators. This will enable us to help our employees see where they have room to improve and where they are right on target. It will also allow them to feel in control of their financial future because our plan now includes a way for everyone to share in the profitability of the company, which will drive everyone’s desire to protect the company’s future.  

We have also taken advantage of their Sales Support and are working closely with Chris Harris and Peter to grow our market share. As a result, our sales team has become more focused and engaged. We are already seeing positive sales results. 

In a short letter of recommendation, it’s very difficult to capture everything we’ve experienced and gained from Cogent’s involvement in our business. We can, without hesitation, recommend Peter Zurn and Cogent Analytics to anyone who wants to realize greater, more profitable success in their business. As our on-site engagement comes to a close our team is sad to see Peter leave, but we are very excited to embrace our next steps!   

Sincerely, 

Ron and Jody Courtney 

Owners – Midwest Signs and Killer Wraps 

Premier Sign Installation & Repair Services Company Indianapolis IN – Midwest Signs

Midwest Signs (formerly Courtney Sign & Lighting Service) specializes in partnering with national sign companies and facilities management firms.