I started the business with a simple question: How can we make the process of buying a computer better? The answer was: Sell computers directly to the end customer. Eliminate the reseller's markup and pass those savings on to the customer.

~ Michael Dell

Michael Dell Business Business Model Management

Sometimes it's better not to ask-or to listen-when tell you something can't be done. I didn't ask for permission or approval. I just went ahead and did it.

~ Michael Dell

Michael Dell Business Dell

Our business is about technology, yes. But it's also about operations and customer relationships.

~ Michael Dell

Michael Dell Technology Customer

I always knew I wanted to run a business someday.

~ Michael Dell

Michael Dell Run Always Someday

I've been fascinated with technology since I was a boy banging around on my father's adding machine. Back then I'd type in an equation, the device made some cool noises, and out came my answer. I was hooked.

~ Michael Dell

Michael Dell Technology Father Boy

The interesting thing is when we design and architect a server, we don't design it for Windows or Linux, we design it for both. We don't really care, as long as we're selling the one the customer wants.

~ Michael Dell

Michael Dell Customer Long Care

Real entrepreneurs have what I call the three Ps (and, trust me, none of them stands for 'permission'). Real entrepreneurs have a 'passion' for what they're doing, a 'problem' that needs to be solved, and a 'purpose' that drives them forward.

~ Michael Dell

Michael Dell Passion Purpose Me

If you think about computing, there isn't just one way to compute, just like there's not just one way to move around. You can have shoes, you can have a car, you can have a bicycle, submarine, rocket, plane, train, glider, whatever. Because you have one doesn't mean you get rid of another one... But PCs continue to be important.

~ Michael Dell

Michael Dell Shoes Train Bicycle

You don't have to be a genius or a visionary or even a college graduate to be successful. You just need a framework and a dream.

~ Michael Dell

Michael Dell College Successful Genius

There are a lot of things that go into creating success. I don't like to do just the things I like to do. I like to do things that cause the company to succeed. I don't spend a lot of time doing my favorite activities.

~ Michael Dell

Michael Dell Time Company Favorite