The Process That Protects Your Brand With Ajay Datt

What if the word "audit" is the problem?After 25+ years in supply chain due diligence, social auditor Ajay Datt has worked with some of the world's biggest fashion brands: Gap Inc., Tommy Hilfiger, Fruit of the Loom. And he's learned one thing: the moment you call it an audit, you've already lost the room.In this episode, Ajay Datt breaks down why the shift from "social audit" to gap assessment isn't just semantics, it's the difference between fear and trust, fault-finding and fixing, compliance theater and real change.You'll learn:The 5-step gap assessment process — from pre-audit prep to closing meetingHow to conduct worker interviews that make people feel safe enough to tell the truthThe 5 core management functions every supplier should be evaluated onWhy the closing meeting is where real partnerships are made or brokenWhat brands, auditors, and sourcing partners each owe to the workers at the end of the supply chainWhether you're new to social standards or looking to sharpen your supplier due diligence process, this episode gives you a practical, human-centered framework you can apply immediately.Protecting workers isn't a checklist. It's an ongoing process.