QUESTION ONE $[25]$ NtuliCoffee, a mid$-$sized coffee chain with $100$ outlets across five major cities in South Africa, prides itself on offering high$-$quality, ethically sourced coffee. Its mission centers on delivering excellent coffee with consistent quality, sourced sustainably from small coffee farmers worldwide. Over the past two years, NtuliCoffee has seen a rise in demand but has struggled to keep up with operational challenges such as supply chain delays, high overhead costs, and inconsistency in service quality across locations. Competitors with leaner operations and faster service have begun capturing market share, pressuring NtuliCoffee to reevaluate its operational strategy. Some of the challenges faced include: Supply Chain Issues: NtuliCoffee sources coffee beans from multiple small farms globally, but these complex supply chains have been vulnerable to disruptions, causing stockouts and increased lead times. Operational Efficiency: Variability in store layouts, workflows, and employee training has led to inconsistent service quality and slower customer service, affecting the brand$$s customer experience. Cost Control: Overhead and operating costs have risen, squeezing margins and limiting NtuliCoffee$$s capacity to reinvest in growth. Question $1\mathrm{.}1$ How can NtuliCoffee improve its supply chain resilience without compromising its commitment to ethical sourcing? $(12)1\mathrm{.}2$ What operational improvements could drive consistency and efficiency across all stores