Direct from Dell: Strategies That Revolutionized an Industry

by Michael Dell, Catherine Fredman, Catherine Dell, Michael; Fredman

Book Overview

In 1983, Michael Dell, a freshman at the University of Texas at Austin, drove away from his parents' Houston home in a BMW he'd bought selling subscriptions to his hometown newspaper. In the backseat... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060845724
• ISBN13: 9780060845728
• Release Date: December 2005
• Publisher: Harper Business
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.8" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

a treasure trove of information for business leaders

This is a terrific book for anyone who aspires to run or lead a business. Dell writes entertainingly about his childhood adventures -- not many teenagers were enterprising enough to research how to find all newly married couples and all people who took out mortgages in order to sell newspaper subscriptions! He was making an annual salary higher than most of his teachers just from his summer activities. His parents should have known they were in for trouble. The first part of the book is devoted to how he founded his business with $1000 of start up money and then all the ups, downs, and mistakes they made along the way. It is encouraging to read that it's not the mistakes that matter, but how quickly you acknowledge and address them that count.The second part of the book has tremendously practical advice for almost any company. Why make the same mistakes that you could avoid by following his model for success? I daresay there is enough solid information here for any informed person to put into practice what Dell did to make a successful business. After having read a series of books on leadership, I can say that this is one of the most practical and hands-on ones as well as one of the most interesting.

Mike Dell is a modern day Henry Ford!

Just as Henry Ford pioneered the automobile industry, so has Michael Dell pioneered the computer industry. This book is a easy read, but highly informative. I also bought the tapes which I play in my car. I have reread this book 4 times and I always come up with a new idea that is profitable to my business.

Mike Dell uses the KISS Principle

Back in the 70's I worked with a successful sales and management professional who espoused the KISS Principle (Keep it simple and short)In reading some of the negative reviews, I can see that some people were expecting something out of HarvardBusiness School.What made Dell the incredible success story that it has become is doing the unusual, the new, the different.Going against the norm.And keeping it simple and short.When I was in the bookstore, someone told me that Mike Dell puts too much emphasis on people. Who do you suppose buys those computers? It's people.I like the fact that Mike Dell puts the customer first.Interesting that the Direct Model that Dell innovated with PCs was initiataly criticized and is now copied by the people who were his strongest critics.Is any wonder that Mr Dell is one of the most in demand speakers.Read and apply Mr. Dell's strategies. They will make you more successful in business and in life.And remember the KISS PRINCIPLE.

Mike Dell, a leader, not a follower

Someone once said that the definition of insanity is to continue to do the same thing but expect a different result. Prior to Mike Dell's assault on the PC Industry in the the early 80's, all of the top PC players were pla ying the game called "follow the follower" nothing new or exciting , same old, same old.Then Mike Dell comes along with better products and a better strategy. I see that Dell made a clean sweep in the new issue of PC World with Dell products coming in first place in all categories listed I am not surprised. Dell products are the best. I have used various pc's from the packard bells to the Compaqs, nothingelse even comes close to Dell.Perfect example of Dell's selling Direct strategy in action; eliminate the middle man and use the difference to develop better products and pass the savings on to the consumer. Obviously it has worked incredibly well.I have my own business and found Mr. Dell's book refreshing and packed with simple, but useful strategies.It is no wonder that Dell has turned the PC Industry on it's ear.Read it, you'll benefit. Great book.This book deserves 10 stars, not 5

Dell Rules!

For a kid who enjoyed taking apart computers, Michael Dell has come a long way. In DIRECT FROM DELL he enthusiastically describes the development of his phenomenally successful business, Dell Computer Company. The book is a fascinating read for people who enjoy learning about "hypergrowth companies" and the personal computer industry. It's also interesting simply as an account of a businessman who possesses the exceptional ability of dealing with the rapidfire changes in technology and being able to build an organization whose employees thrive on change. Dell provides examples and advice for start-up business owners on ways to handle change and the importance of constant communication with employees, customers, and suppliers. He offers some innovative ideas for encouraging employees to think outside the box and for suppliers to work as partners with the company for everyone's benefit.Congratulations, Michael Dell, on your company's amazing success and your willingness to listen to the customer's needs over everything else.