Title:ExecutionWithoutExcuses
Authors:Stewart,ThomasA
O'Brien,LouiseSource:HarvardBusinessReview;Mar2005,Vol
83Issue3,p102,10p,2cDocumentType:InterviewDell'ssustainedcompetitiveadvantageisduetomorethanitsfamousbusinessmodel
Consistentexecutionrequiresreal-timeP&Lmanagement,anemphasisoningenuityratherthanoninvestment,andacultureofaccountability
MICHAELDELLFOUNDEDthecomputercompanythatbearshisnamein1984
Eightyearslater,attheageof27,DellbecametheyoungestCEOintheFortune500
SoonthebusinessworldwasabuzzwithtalkabouttheDellbusinessmodel,whichallowsthecompanytobypassmiddlemen,selldirectlytocustomers,andachievesuperiormanagementofinformationandworkingcapital
"ThePowerofVirtualIntegration,"HBRcalleditina1998interviewwithMichaelDell
Sincethen,thecompanyhascontinuedtogainmarketsharewhiledeli