Michael Dell - CEO of DELL Inc.

Michael Dell is one of the leading figures of the computing world today and the head of one of the most recognizable brands. Dell computers grace the desks of offices all over the world because they are amongst the best. As such, Michael Dell is one of the figures of the 21st Century that you cannot help but admire. After building his business up from the ground, Michael Dell deserves all of the plaudits that he receives and is rightfully on the list of entrepreneurs that individuals should aspire to be like.
The Early Underachiever
Michael Saul Dell was born in Houston, Texas on February 23, 1965. Unlike other computer entrepreneurs, Dell did not have early encounters with technology or even an avid interest in it. Instead, he attended school and showed absolutely no interest in either academic or technological subjects. He did, however, have a habit of challenging himself in others ways. For example, his determination and inquisitive nature as characterised by an incident when Dell was 15. His first computer was bought for him at that age. Instead of using it, Dell did no more than took it to pieces to see whether or not he could put it back together again. He could and did.
The entrepreneur also developed great business skills at an early age and proved himself an astute businessman when he earned $18,000 by selling Houston Post subscriptions. His business acumen and ability to spot untapped sources of revenue were to pay off in the future when the entrepreneur built his business, Dell Inc., from the ground up.

The Dell Home Business
Michael Dell attended the University of Texas at Austin after graduating from high school but was more interested in running a business from his dorm room than studying. His first company was known as PC’s Limited. In fact, this entrepreneurial venture was immediately successful and so he dropped out of university at the age of 19 in order to run the business on a full time basis.
As Dell built up his business and began to create computers and laptops, PCs Limited was renamed Dell Computer Corporation. Noticing a niche in the market, the entrepreneur began to market his machines solely online, thus giving everyone access to them no matter where an individual lived. As such, Dell Inc. (as it was to be renamed once again, this time in 2003) became the single largest PC company in the world. For example, the profit margin was $3 billion in 2004.
Dell The Entrepreneur
Michael Dell is currently the CEO of Dell Inc., despite temporarily relinquishing the title in 2004 to Kevin Rollins. He is also a billionaire in his own right. As of 2008, Dell was worth $16 billion and was placed 40th in the Forbes Rich List. This owes as much to his investments as an entrepreneur as much as it does to the success of Dell Inc. This is because he founded MSD Capital LP in 1998. This company is an existing investment firm that has been established solely to make investments for Dell. It invests capital in established companies to ensure that his personal fortune remains stable.
Michael Dell truly is an amazing man and an amazing entrepreneur. He has made an impact on a saturated market as a result of his business mind and ability to predict exactly what his customers want. From his earliest experience in the business world to his latest, the entrepreneur has an amazing ability to find a niche that doubles up as a relatively untapped source of income and thus profit. This is why he should be used as an example to budding entrepreneurs everywhere. If you can find a gap in the market then Dell highlights just how profitable it can be!



Anand Pandey
PGDM(IIIrd Sem)