Essay - This Case Analysis Will Be Based on Case 7: Dell...

This case analysis will be based on Case 7: Dell Computer Corporation: Strategy and Challenges for the 21st Century, by Thompson ***** Gamble. This case analysis ***** evaluate a variety of factors including, the role of Michael Dell as CEO, and his strategy. Fur*****r, a brief SWOT ***** will be given, and a competitive strength assessment will compare Dell to major competitors. Advantages of Dell's strategy and an ***** ***** the comp*****y's financial per*****mance will ***** given. Finally, a ***** personal assessment of Dell will be given.

Michael Dell is an excellent CEO. Remarkably, he founded the highly successful Dell Corporation at the age of 19. He had a vision th***** personal computers could ***** built to order, ***** on customer specifications. ***** ***** has been the basis of Dell's success, and has seen the company ***** the CEO through many financially difficult times. As such, I would have to note that it is Michael ***** vision which makes him a great CEO, combined with ***** persistence and ability to wea*****r difficult times.

As noted, Dell's strategy started as a vision ***** personal computers ***** be built to order, based on cus*****mer *****. In the early years, Dell struggled to keep the cost of its product low, ***** thus increase sales by making an excellent product at ***** affordable price.

*****terestingly, ***** 2000, ***** average Dell computer sold for exactly double the price ***** a similar clone. ***** has continued ***** evolve, and now aggressively markets toward higher end *****. To this end, then, Dell is attempting to have a "*****tter" v*****lue chain than rivals, by producing a very high quality, personalized *****.

Dell's *****est strength ***** likely the ability of its people. Michael Dell is known for hiring talented, competent people, and ***** letting them do their jobs, rather ***** micromanaging *****. Dell also has a great strength in ***** ***** recognized and respected br***** name.

***** *****est weakness is the ***** price of its computers. This ***** keeps them from target*****g the ever-growing market of new computer users, who are often only interested in purchasing a basic, low cost system.

Dell's opportunities are in the bus*****ess and high-end computer user areas. Dell can use its highly recognizable and respected br***** name ***** sell high-quality, ***** ***** machines.

Dell's threats come ***** its rivals, like Compaq, IBM, Hewlett-Packard, and Gateway. All of these are strong *****, with Compaq arguably the *****est of the bunch. Gateway, while a strong comp*****ny, has a long w*****y to go to begin to match ei*****r Dell or IBM's *****and recognition.

Over the years Dell's evolving strategy has resulted in a rem*****rkable ***** advantage over ***** rivals. They have managed to keep a strong brand name, ***** IBM, but continue ***** be ***** as a cutting-edge, vi*****ble company.

*****, ***** value chain and its management of ***** chain activities will be one of ***** greatest assets in ***** future. Among built to order/direct sales value cha***** competitors, basically only Gateway and Micron Electronics are viable