Reading the Tea Leaves at Tea and More: Resolving Complex Supply Chain Issues

The case study link is provided below for the Case Study 2. Read and study the case and complete the questions at the end of the study. Use the case study outline below to assist you with your analysis. Questions should be answered using case study format. Ensure that you adequately explain the problem, describe alternative solutions and justify your recommendation. This exercise should be able to be completed in approximately 3-6 doubled space pages.

– Appendix (Answer case study questions below)
**1. What can we do about lost sales due to poor customer service by outside “contract”
sales staff?
2. How can we restore the attractiveness and power of the TAM brand for major cus- tomers so they aren’t lured away by low-cost, low-quality competitors?
3. How can we minimize “stock outages” and other inventory problems caused by unpredictable customer ordering patterns and the continuing difficulty of getting faster production and delivery from EML in London?
4. How can we reduce collection time from 54 days to less than 40 days without alien- ating the very customer base TAM is trying to attract and retain?
5. What decisions should we make regarding experimentation with new tea varieties, such as the “Christmas Mint” tea that fell flat last season? Can we afford to continue such experiments? Can TAM afford to stick only to its basic teas and not compete in the “new and improved” tea market so heavily advertised by competitors?
6. What haven’t we thought of? Where else can financial advantages and process effi- ciencies be achieved?