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Advisory for factories preparing for the next audit — and the one after that.

CSR, ESG, and HREDD advisory for factories navigating increasingly complex buyer expectations. We build the management systems — you own them permanently, not just until the auditor leaves.

Let's talk Common questions
Trần Xuân Quang in a factory advisory session

Is this for you?

Not every engagement is the right fit. Here's how to tell.

This fits if…

  • You've received a corrective action plan but have no clear path to implement it.
  • Your brand is asking compliance questions you can't confidently answer.
  • You want to build internal compliance capability, not just close out findings.
  • You're preparing for SA8000, RBA VAP, SMETA, or HREDD due diligence.
  • You've failed an audit in the past 12 months and need a structured remediation approach.
  • You're a brand that needs an independent view of a supplier before onboarding.

This doesn't fit if…

  • You're looking for someone to manage the audit score rather than the actual conditions.
  • You need a quick-fix document package with no intention of implementation.
  • You're not willing to involve factory management and workers in the process.
  • Your timeline is under 30 days for a full compliance remediation.

What's included

  • Gap assessment against relevant standard (SA8000, RBA, SMETA, HREDD, or custom)
  • Management system design and documentation package
  • Corrective action plan with prioritised, actionable steps
  • 90-day implementation roadmap
  • Buyer-facing disclosure and documentation support
  • Two structured follow-up reviews within the engagement period
  • Internal audit team coaching (included if capability build is in scope)
  • Closing report suitable for brand and certification body submission

The process

01

Discovery call

1 week

A 60-minute scoping conversation — no fee, no obligation. We establish the standard in scope, the timeline drivers, and what a successful engagement looks like for your facility and buyer.

02

Gap assessment

1–2 days on-site

On-site assessment against the applicable standard. I work through documentation, worker interviews, and facility observation. You receive a structured findings report with severity ratings — not just a list.

03

System design

2–4 weeks

Based on findings, we co-design the management system — policies, procedures, and record formats that meet standard requirements and fit the way your facility actually operates.

04

Implementation support

Ongoing

I work alongside your team through the implementation period — answering questions, reviewing records as they're generated, and adjusting the plan when realities on the floor require it.

05

Review & close

2–4 weeks

Two structured reviews confirm the system is embedded, not just installed. The final report is written for both internal use and external submission to your buyer or certification body.

APPAREL — TIER 2 FACTORY · VIETNAM

Zero repeat findings At follow-up SMETA audit

A cut-and-sew facility had failed two consecutive SMETA audits on working hours, grievance mechanisms, and fire safety documentation. After a full management system design and 90-day implementation cycle, the facility passed its follow-up audit on the first attempt. The factory retained preferred-supplier status and built an internal audit team that has maintained compliance through three subsequent buyer visits.

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Common questions

How do you charge for advisory work?

Engagements are scoped and priced based on the standard in scope, facility size, current compliance baseline, and timeline. I work on fixed-project fees, not hourly billing — you know the full cost before we start. Retainer arrangements are available for ongoing monthly advisory.

Can you work with facilities outside Vietnam?

Yes. I work with factories across Southeast Asia, primarily Vietnam, Cambodia, and Bangladesh. For multi-country programmes, I typically combine on-site visits with structured remote support between trips.

Do you work with brands directly, or only with factories?

Both. Brands engage me to provide independent assessments of suppliers, support supplier development programmes, and advise on responsible sourcing frameworks. Factories engage me directly or through their brands. Either path works.

What standards do you cover?

SA8000, RBA (EICC), SMETA (2-pillar and 4-pillar), SLCP, WRAP, C-TPAT, ISO 9001, and HREDD frameworks including EU CSDDD and German LkSG requirements. For custom buyer codes of conduct, I work from the document directly.

What's the minimum engagement length?

Genuine compliance system work takes time. The minimum meaningful engagement is 60 days — enough for a gap assessment, remediation planning, and one implementation review cycle. Shorter timeframes are possible for targeted document audits, but I'll be direct about what is and isn't achievable.

Can you deliver work in Vietnamese?

Yes. All documentation, training materials, worker communications, and advisory sessions can be delivered in Vietnamese. Most of my in-facility work is conducted in Vietnamese.

Let's talk

The first conversation is always a scoping call. Tell me what you're dealing with and we'll figure out whether I'm the right person to help.

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