how dell become the largest computer seller?

Business model

Dell sells all its products both to end-use consumers and to corporate customers, using a direct-sales model via the Internet and the telephone network. Dell maintains a negative cash conversion cycle through use of this model: in other words, Dell Inc. receives payment for the products before it has to pay for the materials. Dell also practices just-in-time (JIT) inventory management, profiting from its attendant benefits. Dell’s JIT approach utilizes the “pull” system by building computers only after customers place orders and by requesting materials from suppliers as needed. In this way Dell mirrors Toyota by following Toyota Way Principle #3 ("Use 'pull' systems to avoid overproduction"). Since the original dominance of telephone ordering, the Internet has significantly enhanced Dell’s business model, making it easier for customers and potential customers to contact Dell directly. Other computer manufacturers, including Gateway and Hewlett-Packard, have attempted to adapt this same business model, but due to timing and/or retail-channel pressures they have not achieved the same results as Dell.


圖片參考：http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ee/Michael_Dell%2C_square_crop.jpg/180px-Michael_Dell%2C_square_crop.jpg


Michael Dell, the founder and chairman of Dell.

Organization

A Board of Directors of nine people runs the company. Both Michael Dell, the founder of the company, and Kevin Rollins, the CEO, serve on the board. Other board members include Don Carty, William Gary, Judy Lewent, Klaus Luft, Alex Mandl, Michael A. Miles, and Sam Nunn. Shareholders elect the nine board members at meetings, and those board members who do not get a majority of votes must submit a resignation to the board, which will subsequently choose whether or not to accept the resignation. The board of directors usually sets up five committees which have oversight over specific matters. These committees include the Audit Committee, which handles accounting issues, including auditing and reporting; the Compensation Committee, which approves compensation for the CEO and other employees of the company; the Finance Committee, which handles financial matters such as proposing mergers and acquisitions; the Governance and Nominating Committee, which handles various corporate matters including nomination of the board; and the Antitrust Compliance Committee, which attempts to prevent company practices from violating antitrust laws.

The corporate structure and management of Dell extends beyond the board of directors. The Dell Global Executive Management Committee sets the strategic direction for how the corporation keeps customers at the forefront, from designing and manufacturing computer systems to offering products that meet customers' requirements to providing the sufficient service and support. Dell has regional senior vice presidents for countries other than the United States, including Paul Bell for EMEA and Stephen J. Felice for Asia/Japan. Other officers include Martin Garvin (senior vice president for worldwide procurement) and Susan E. Sheskey (vice president and chief information officer).