IACC Member Spotlight features RQA’s Kevin Platt

IACC (International Anticounterfeit Coalition) Member Spotlight features Kevin Platt, VP Business Integration, RQA, Inc.

Please view this month’s Member Spotlights!

We thank all of the participants for contributing and sharing their expertise with us. Member companies are randomly chosen each month to participate as a way to connect and educate our member community. To view our previous member spotlights, click here.

Kevin Platt
RQA, Inc. 
Vice President, Business Integration
Tinley Park, IL, USA

What are your top 2 recommendations to a brand that is building up its IP enforcement program?
My suggestion is to look everywhere. We have found counterfeit products at major retailers, independent stores, non-traditional outlets (flea markets / street vendors), in returned goods including recalled items, via consumer complaints, and in e-commerce / online sales.

Also, take time to share data and promote awareness throughout your organization. Counterfeit products can be difficult to distinguish from authentic. There may be cases where an authentic product is in a counterfeit package, or a counterfeit product is in an authentic package. Be sure your consumer affairs team is educated on the possible variations and your procedures collect all available information. Recover complaint samples from consumers and expand your investigation to the point of sale.
 
How do you show your clients the value of brand protection?
Clients and their products are all unique and I approach my relationship with each client as such. I recommend an ongoing, long-term program to build a solid database of offenders, then dig deeper to investigate their distribution channels and identify where else they may be operating. A statistically significant sampling plan provides quantifiable results to monitor progress, identify areas where resources should be applied, and measure results over time.
 
What’s your favorite famous or inspirational quote? 
“People don’t do what you expect, but what you inspect.” – Louis V. Gerstner, Jr.
For years since I heard this quote, I have shared it with my team and reminded them that we are first and foremost a Quality Assurance service provider. Our clients rely on us to be thorough, accurate and responsive. Take the time to do things right, validate information by all available means, be confident in the results we provide, and proud of the work we do!

Contact info: k.platt@rqa-inc.com