Program Assessment

We consult with brands to chart strategic opportunities to advance supplier performance in the context of company business goals.  Our program assessment approach illuminates strengths and weaknesses within an SR program.  Components of the Assessment are key informant interviews and a review of systems, structure, goals, policies and processes.  Our experts interview the managers and directors both in the field and at headquarters. Our analysis identifies both strengths and structural- and management systems-oriented obstacles to implementing the most effective, sustainable labor protections within the company’s supply chain.

Strategic Visioning

We work with companies to build consensus among senior decision-makers on current SR risks and on a strategic path forward for minimizing reputational risk and integrating company social values within the context of the corporate business plan. Based on a Program Assessment, our Visioning Sessions identify concrete opportunities to implement best practice structures, systems and processes to manage risk and achieve positive socially responsible outcomes as well as to immediate and longer-term goals for building the capacity for continuous improvement both internally and at the key junctures of the supply chain.

Supply Chain Segmentation

Verite helps companies be strategic with their resources by guiding them in the segmentation of their supply base. Our Segmentation Process is designed to identify and prioritize strategic suppliers and to differentiate monitoring and capability building investments.  Whereas risk scoring using country as a primary filter, our Risk Matrix segments suppliers into categories based on a combination of labor/environmental and operational risk factors, including: Product life-cycle and social/environmental risk  Manufacturing processes Leverage  Operational risk Relationship value to the company Brand exposure Location

Social Responsibility Systems Guidebook 

A customized Social Responsibility Management Systems Guidebook is the central component of a tool kit for building a common understanding among internal SR staff and business partners of Code requirements and the management systems that screen out non-compliance with these standards. The Verité Social Responsibility Management Systems Guidebook serves as a practical “how-to” manual that provides a Management Systems framework for understanding how to ensure that Code standards are met throughout the employment lifecycle in day-to-day business operations.  Besides serving as a practical reference document for SR systems, standards and best practices, the Guidebook provides a framework around which to develop Management Action Planning serves as the foundation for orientation seminars and technical capability-building workshops and provides compatible systems assessment tools for internal, Brand or 3rd-Party monitoring

Building Accountability
Program Assurance Assessment

Verité helps build accountability among critical supply chain partners by evaluating the compliance programs of Tier 1 and other key suppliers. We have identified a range of strategic interventions that aim to build the capacity of critical suppliers to manage risk of non-compliance with their client’s Code of Conduct, including, for larger suppliers, in their own supply chains.  The objective of our PAA approach is to identify: The robustness of SR programming at the Supplier level Strengths and weaknesses of the program in terms of the supplier’s ability to ensure adherence to the brand’s standards in its manufacturing facilities and in its sourcing practices Structural, management-oriented and training-related obstacles to implementation of effective labor protections

Performance Improvement Program

As a cost-effective alternative to auditing, Verité works with suppliers to build up management systems and technical skills for making meaningful progress in meeting their customers’ SR standards. Our guided-change approach helps facilities: Internalize Code requirements through a knowledge-building, skills coaching, consulting, and progress-tracking process and Integrate SR management systems that screen against SR risks, support a positive work environment and are good for business.

Supplier Social Responsibility Systems Guidebook 

A customized Social Responsibility Management Systems Guidebook is the central component of a tool kit for building understanding of Code requirements and the management systems that screen out non-compliance with these standards. The Verité Social Responsibility Management Systems Guidebook serves as a practical “how-to” manual that provides a Management Systems framework for understanding how to ensure that Code standards are met throughout the employment lifecycle.  Besides serving as a practical reference document for SR systems, standards and best practices, the Guidebook: provides a framework around which to develop Management Action Planning   serves as thefoundation for orientation seminars and technical capability-building workshops and provides compatible systems assessment tools for internal monitoring.

Worker Participation in Problem Solving

Sustained change requires that workers be full partners in assessing, improving and maintaining just, legal and safe employment practices.  We provide training and education programs that provide workers with the knowledge, skills and opportunities to become effective participants in positive change in the workplace. We provide technical training for management and workers and facilitate the creation of participatory structures and systems that integrate workers into facility monitoring. Training workshops include Code standards, communication, team building, conflict resolution, factory monitoring, reporting and problem solving.