Michael Dell

Texas.
From an early age, Michael Dell was fascinated by

both business and electronics, and couldn't wait to combine his two passions.

At age 15, he bought one of the first Apple computers and immediately disassembled it, to see if he could put it back together.

Family background

and used his data research skills to identify an untapped

customer base, earning $18,000 in a single year.
He rewarded himself with a new computer and a BMW, and was soon planning a business venture of his own.

started a small business, selling computer disk drives out of

his dorm room.
With an initial investment of $1,000, he registered the business with the State of Texas.
Minimal advertising quickly brought him a large customer base on campus, and outside contracts followed quickly. Within months he moved off campus, filling a large apartment with computer parts and assembling new computers from scratch at a fraction of the cost of the traditional retailers.

Education/Work experience

activities and concentrate on his studies, by spring vacation he

had to break the news: his venture was writing sales of $80,000 a month. He was ready to quit school and run his business full-time.
He incorporated the company – initially called PC's Limited – and pioneered selling personal computers by telephone order.

Career ladder

Computer Corporation and took the company public. Soon the business

went global, with manufacturing facilities, partnerships and subsidiaries in Europe, Asia, Australia and Latin America. By 1992, Dell Computer had entered the Fortune 500 list of the world's largest companies, and at age 27, Michael Dell was the youngest CEO ever to lead one of the 500.

says, "I believe in rules and having some order to

things, but my natural proclivity is not to control everything myself. I am more inclined to provide frameworks and guidelines."

Management style

energetic
passionate
impulsive
hard-working

relying on supply chain efficiencies to sell established technologies at

low prices. Dell insists innovation and risk are at the heart of the firm.
Product inspiration now comes courtesy of ideastorm.com, a website that allows customers to identify and vote on new lines. User comments reflect adulation and harsh criticism equally.

Like all effective leaders, Michael Dell is good at listening.

Conclusion: