Print

Small Business

Sign in
Sign in to post messages.
Joined on Posts:

Want Business Advice from Michael Dell? – Now’s Your Chance

15 August , 03:00 PM

The most coveted component of the Dell Small Business Excellence Award is the chance to sit down with Michael Dell and Dell leaders for a day of best-practice sharing.

Transport Designs, a Pennsylvania-based custom enclosed trailer and motor home manufacturer, was named the U.S. winner in June, and owner Steve Mattie and three of his staff are already starting to plan for their Day at Dell in Oct. Winners and finalists are being named as we speak in the remaining 11 countries – including winners in Mexico and Canada, and finalists in Australia, China, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK. All national winners will be announced between now and early Sept. We will keep you updated on their stories.

In her post in June about Transport Designs’ innovative technology use, Washington Post small-business blogger Sharon McLoone closed with a good question - What do you plan to ask Michael Dell? Steve answered, “How did you do it?”

UPDATE 8-15-08: We're extending the deadline to submit questions to Monday, Aug. 18th. Voting on IdeaStorm will begin on Tuesday Aug. 19th. Keep the questions coming!

If you had face-time with Michael Dell to get advice regarding your business, what would you ask him? Submit your question via the comment box below. You have until this Friday, Aug. 15th Monday, Aug. 18th to get your question in.

Beginning Monday, Aug. 18th Tuesday, Aug. 19th, you will be able to vote and comment on the top questions on IdeaStorm. I will post here with all the details on voting next Monday. We’ll take the top 5 - as voted on IdeaStorm - and have Michael answer them in a Vlog here on the Small Business Blog on Aug. 28th.

Tags: ,
You must to comment.
  |  Del.icio.us   |  Digg   |  Reddit   | 

 
Hernan Burgos
19 Sep 2008 02:20 PM

Greetings

This is some advice for Michael Dell, I could not find a place to contact him directly. I have been purchasing Dell Products for my clients since you started. Your Website is one of the best in the world for online ordering, now the bad news, everytime I need need to order something using your 1-800-www.dell it takes me at least 25 minutes before I can purchase anything. There is a huge market out there for first time buyers, Seniors, Etc. Please simplify your Phone system. one number to order Dell Products and a human that will take your order right away. I hope this Advice will increase your sales, because I would like to see you guys around for a while.

Regards

Hernan Burgos

Toronto, Ontario Canada
 
Rico
05 Sep 2008 02:15 PM

Hi, as a successful company, what would you recommend companies that wants to open a globally. Regarding handling foreign employees...Do you treat them the same way as you treat your own employees in the US or do you let the foriegn employees handle the it...You know is it much better to have a representative on onther countries and let them handle the business..because I've heard that they can ruin the business???!!
 
Steve Mattie
19 Aug 2008 01:31 PM

Kara - I looked at the link you provided concerning Mr. Dell's various computers nd I would like to know how he manages to keep all his data and programs accessible while traveling, etc? I have only two for myself for my business and this is a dilemma I am facing.

 
Tony
17 Aug 2008 10:37 AM

As a successful business entrepreneur, what would be your recommendation as to how to respond to the level of customer service experienced received during the chat log below? Hypothetically speaking of course, this would be a small business attempting to purchase their 5th pc from a PC Solutions for Small and Medium Business retailer. Thanks.

 11:09:35 AM   

   

 tony

Initial Question/Comment: logged in to look at my saved cart, entered coupon, cart emptied, saved order gone?

 11:09:45 AM   

   

 System 

You are now being connected to an agent. Thank you for using XXXX Chat

 11:09:45 AM   

   

 System 

Connected with SMB_XXXX

 11:09:55 AM   

   

 SMB_XXXX 

Hello my name is XXXX and I’ll be your XXXX Small & Medium Business sales consultant. If you need additional help after our chat session, you can contact me by email at XXXX_XXXX@XXXX.com or by phone at XXX-XXX-XXXX

 11:10:40 AM   

   

 SMB_XXXX 

how long ago did you save your cart?

 11:10:46 AM   

   

 tony 

2 days ago

 11:11:20 AM   

   

 SMB_XXXX 

well our deals run from Thursday through Wednesday

 11:11:39 AM   

   

 tony 

it was in there when i just logged in a few minutes ago, i entered a coupon code, hit enter, and the cart said it was then empty

 11:12:25 AM   

   

 SMB_XXXX 

hmmm, don't know what to tell you

 
AWWang
16 Aug 2008 02:02 PM

Well, davmcn basically has the same questions as I have...

I need one more: What is the best way and the best software to create my own site? Buy big bucks, or save a little?

Thank you mike in advanced... :)...
 
Evan
15 Aug 2008 09:07 AM

As Microsoft and system retailers/builders like Dell develop more integrated system sets (i.e. Exchange 2008 Integrated Messaging, VOIP, SharePoint Servers) when do you think it's appropriate to add these components to a small business environment?  We are a B2B and B2C service company.

We have found that this level of integration offers a lot of advantages to us but the training resources for methods of deployment are few.  Who offers the best quality training for small business IT employees? 

Lastly, what core resources or methods do you feel should be employed to keep an IT staff organized?  Web based help-desk, in-house IT wiki, etc.  

 

 
 
Realtor
14 Aug 2008 03:48 PM

As a Realtor, I am curious about your advice on laptops vs PDAs for use when I am in the car all the time.
 
Jeannette Burris
14 Aug 2008 10:05 AM

When building a new 13,000 sq ft medical office with 13 exam rooms and 30 computer stations using electronic medical records - what would be the most steamline desktop system to use?  We are also considering having the 13 exam room desktops being utilized as a tv to view dvds of heart procedures for the patients. Thank you for your time.
 
davmcn
13 Aug 2008 05:50 PM

that's cool, he has more systems that i thought. thanks for the link :)

 
davmcn
13 Aug 2008 12:55 PM

When setting up a business network with around 200 computers, what brand of hardware do you suggest to use ?

When buying systems from dell for a business, do you suggest they do it online or over the phone ?

(Not Related ) - You yourself as a Mr. Dell, do you own a dell at your home ?
 
DELL-Kara K
13 Aug 2008 02:52 PM

Great questions davmcn! As for Michael's own systems, check out this link.
 
jervis961
13 Aug 2008 08:56 AM

It isn't related to my business but I would ask the following questions.

1.  In light of the recent problems with NVIDIA video cards, when is Dell going to start giving customers a choice of ATI cards in Dell systems?

2.  Is Dell ever going to offer AMD powered machines again outside of those offered at retail stores?

While the questions do not directly relate to a question on how I should run a business they will indirectly provide some insight into the thinking involved.  The indirect question that would be answered is, how do you decide when it is time to take a new direction with your business?
 
sugarbear
12 Aug 2008 11:09 PM

If your busisness isn`t large enough for an IT department, what would you suggest for the best way to maintain your business?
 
sugarbear
12 Aug 2008 11:01 PM
At what point in a small business, would you advise the owner to allow your employees to have a suggestion box?