Michael Dell Steps Down as CEO 320
A whole lot of readers made sure we knew that Michael Dell is calling it quits as CEO of Dell, and has named Kevin Rollins, the current president and chief operating officer of Dell, as his successor. Rollins will retain the title of president, but Michael Dell hasn't left completely. He's still planning on sticking around as chairman of the board.
Dude.... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Dude.... (Score:5, Interesting)
I wonder if he will simply take time to enjoy life, or perhaps he has a new pet project that has piqued his interest.
Best wishes Michael, and thanks for all the magazine covers.
Re:Dude.... (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Dude.... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Dude.... (Score:3, Funny)
Not to mention the the steamy centerfolds! Rrrrawrr!!
Comment removed (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:It's obvious (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Dude.... (Score:5, Insightful)
It was all the rage in the dot-bomb era, but as usually reality comes crashing back in, demonstrating that there really IS a reason businesses run the way they do. So kudos to MD, who went out on top, unlike Eisner who had to be forced out. But the difference between the two is that MD is looking out for his company, and Eisner is looking out for Eisner.
Re:Dude.... (Score:5, Insightful)
The problem being that to do the job of chairman effectively you usually have to have been the ex-CEO. So michael Dell is only following the normal practice for a founder, giving up the day to day running of the business and keeping the long term governance position.
The dotcom startups were not really abberations here. There is not much point in having a chairman in a company that is only a few years old. if the management team are crooks or jerks then the truck is going to hit the wall and all the investors will lose their money in any case.
What was an abberation was when the long established companies started running themselves in this way. Michael Eisener did not create Disney, he should not have unfettered control. He should not be paid so much for such mediocre results.
Just what Dell needs` (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Just what Dell needs` (Score:4, Funny)
'Cause IT'S A NOTEBOOK! Yeah, IT'S A NOTEBOOK! It's more expensive , BECAUSE IT'S HARD TO MAKE!
Damn. (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Damn. (Score:5, Funny)
"Dude, you're getting rolled!"
At least it would have a ring of truth to it.
The Dell in Dell (Score:5, Funny)
Awesome!
Re:The Dell in Dell (Score:5, Funny)
Re:The Dell in Dell (Score:3, Funny)
So Much for AtAT Plot Lines... (Score:5, Funny)
p
So basically no change here... (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:So basically no change here... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:So basically no change here... (Score:4, Informative)
Re:So basically no change here... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:So basically no change here... (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:So basically no change here... (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:So basically no change here... (Score:5, Funny)
I find that offensive. If I had that much money I wouldn't be consorting with cheap women, I'd be consorting with EXPENSIVE women.
Re:So basically no change here... (Score:5, Funny)
Or do I have to move to India first?
New Perspective (Score:4, Interesting)
Re: New Perspective (Score:4, Interesting)
Dell Steps Down (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Dell Steps Down (Score:5, Insightful)
Hell, there are days now when I don't have much motivation, and I'm just a lowly mechanical engineer.
Re:Dell Steps Down (Score:2)
Re:Dell Steps Down (Score:5, Funny)
Mr. Dell : I would like to step down as CEO. Here's my written statement. .......
Boardroom Exec : Whoa, that's one helluva doozy, your memo doesn't look right. Are you sure the power cord is plugged in to your computer?
Mr. Dell : Yes, this isn't a computer issue at all. I want to step down as CEO. Let's elect someone else.
Boardroom Exec : No, that cannot be right. Okay, reboot your computer and try printing our your memo again. That should fix the problem.
Mr. Dell : No you nitwit, I just want to resign. I know it, and I want us all to elect a new CEO.
Boardroom Exec : Okay okay, now I know what's wrong. Before we do anything else I want you to reinstall these drivers on your computer and then give me the memo again. That should really fix the problem this time.
Mr. Dell : Argh, I don't have time for this crap. I know what I want to do, just listen to me. I've been running the show for years, and now I know I want to leave. Let's convene a chairholder's meeting now.
Boardroom Exec : No, we cannot do that yet. It wasn't a driver issue, so it must be the OS. Before we convene any meetings you'll have to reinstall windows on your computer so we can all make sure this is a legit memo. I'll hold as you do that
Mr. DellAAARRRGGGHHHH!!!
Re:Dell Steps Down (Score:4, Informative)
Two weeks ago I cancelled an order for a $1400 projector with Dell because that morning they send me an email saying the projector would be shipping in the middle of March. 15 minutes on hold and the call is disconnected by gremlins. Next try: 45 minutes (yes, really) on the phone and the order is cancelled. I'm a little steamed at this point about the phone time but oh well.
Three days after that I got an email from Dell saying that the projector had shipped. I call Dell. 20 minutes (quick this time, ROFL) later I have my marching orders: "when the projector arrives just refuse delivery". Sounds good to me. I am only slightly pissed off.
The projector arrives two days early so my "DHL: I refuse delivery of Dell's package" sign is not yet hung up on my door. DHL leaves the package on my doorstep. This is a $1400 item, shipped without "signature required". WTF? Now I am annoyed.
The next day I call Dell. Hold time is less than 3 minutes but it still takes 30 minutes for the Customer Care chick to arrange DHL pickup at my house. At the end of the call she asks, "are you satisfied with Dell's service in this matter"? I laugh, exert all my force of will to refrain from swearing, and say "no I am not ".
The next day the package is picked up. Finally! I assume in 2 weeks Dell will charge my VISA for the order and I'll get to do it all again.
Michael Dell, visonnaire??? (Score:5, Insightful)
No, IMO, this does not jive. Either M. Dell has other objectives (politics, maybe, I dunno) or there was some sort of back-stage coup.
Re:Michael Dell, visonnaire??? (Score:5, Interesting)
Now, this didn't really surprise me, as I've been in the industry a long time and knew that was pretty much the case. What stunned me was that he not only admitted it, but seemed proud of it. From that point on, I had yet another reason to never buy from them.
Exact quote? (Score:3, Interesting)
Most companies would rather pay the best price for equipment that fulfills their n
Re:Exact quote? Probably IS an exact quote... (Score:3, Interesting)
This isn't much of a paraphrase. I've heard similar things from the inside of Dell in regards to Compaq's well-known and well-developed R&D division (now part of HP, but still intact as an R&D division last time I checked, which was admittedly many months ago).
Compaq's R&D may be bleeding edge, but to say that it's "yet to be proven to fulfill a need" is just plain ignorant. Just because a SMB (small- to medium-size business) doesn't need systems running RAID arrays that can survive multipl
Re:Exact quote? Probably IS an exact quote... (Score:3, Informative)
Actually, no, they didn't [dell.com] do all the RAID pioneering in the PC world. The DDA was an in-house-designed product that was pretty darned nifty for its time, and resulted in quite a few patents for the people who worked on it.
Back in the early 90s, Dell was actually shaping up to be a formidable engineering company in its own right. We (I
Um, wrong... (Score:5, Insightful)
The Dell vision has been and continues to be to enter markets just before they reach commoditization and to rapidly scale up market share by undercutting on price.
Think they don't have R&D people? Think again -- they've got hundreds. But those hundreds are busy looking for the next market Dell can enter and dominate (think of how they entered the server market and, more recently, the PDA market).
Just because someone spends their R&D dollars on econometric models and market research rather than trying to invent truly new products doesn't mean they're not innovating. Dell taught an entire generation of successful companies how to analyze, parse, enter and dominate markets.
Re:Um, wrong... (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Michael Dell, visonnaire??? (Score:5, Insightful)
When Dell squeezes more features into a portable, desktop, pda or server, how do you think they do it? They go to their vendors and tell them what they want a product to be able to do, then their vendors trip over themselves to develop just that very thing so Dell will buy it.
That alone has spurred more change and inovation in the computer industry then most people would believe.
Re:Michael Dell, visonnaire??? (Score:5, Insightful)
I wish I could say that I liked the idea so much I bought the company, but all I could afford at the time was to buy one of the machines. (Heck, that's about all my current budget could afford, either.) It's how everyone does this stuff today (with order-placing over the net instead of by phone/mail), but it was considered a kinda crazy business model in the mid-1980's, and he made a go of it... and made it work.
Re:Michael Dell, visonnaire??? (Score:3, Insightful)
Dell said that research is overrated (Score:4, Informative)
He should be fired now.
Re:Dell said that research is overrated (Score:3, Interesting)
Why?
Re:Dell said that research is overrated (Score:3, Insightful)
Why? Profit is calculated after expenses.
So what?
So what?
Why do you think all the dot coms failed?
Less income than expenses.
And when we say (Score:5, Funny)
Why would you tell everyone? (Score:3, Funny)
What the hell does my weekend hobby have to do with this article on Slashdot?
This is similar to Bill Gates stepping down... (Score:5, Insightful)
I think this is actually a very wise move by Dell, because while this is a guy who started a business on his own and became extremely good at it, I would be surprised (I honestly don't know) if he was that business school MBA who can lead a company over the long run. Plus, if Rollins messes up, he can always blame the new CEO for all the problems.
No More Pay Cuts (Score:5, Interesting)
I would know. My dad is one of the best Dell's licensing sales rep in his building and went from making bank (compared to what he used to make at Circuit City) to making near $60,000. Not only was it shocking at the time, it was appalling when two days later Dell announced it's "10K A Day Giveaway," not to mention the massive payroll cuts a few weeks after that.
Re:No More Pay Cuts (Score:3, Insightful)
Go hang around a homeless shelter for a while and do some volunteering, it might get that snooty attitude off your face. Or just spend one afternoon sitting in the waiting room of an unemployment office. Best yet, just buy some poor kids toys at Christmas and realize they're that poor YEAR 'ROUND.
Those of us that lived through layoffs that turn
'Cause I'm a LIAR (Score:4, Funny)
Oh man, it'd be so much cooler if he named Henry Rollins as his successor. There would really be some ass kicking going on then...
Dude, you're getting a fucking punch in the face!!!
Re:'Cause I'm a LIAR (Score:2, Funny)
I thought it was a good idea.
Sorry, incredibly offtopic.
Dell & Linux anyone? (Score:5, Insightful)
I know Dell claims to be, and pretended to try Linux on consumer systems and gave up claiming "they weren't selling"... but that was because of the systems they chose to list Linux as an option with.
Just because we like an OS that _happens_ to be free (in both senses of the word), doesn't mean we're cheapskates!
How many Linux users do you know who would go out and buy the bottom-of-the-line of anything?
We go for the hotrods, bigger/better/faster/more.
I don't care if that monster notebook weighs 8.5#, I'm not a wimp, I want the power and rediculously-high resolution screen!
Actually - after reading an article [ucsd.edu] on installing Linux on an I8600, I priced one - amazing how cheap you can get a 1920x1200 LCD notebook for these days.
Too bad it requires the MS-tax.
The 1st thing I'd do with it is shrink down the MS partition to as small as it goes (to keep it around to make the diag-drones happy) and install Linux on it. (just like I did with the notebook I'm typing this on, sadly only having 1400x1050 on the LCD).
Well, duh! (was Re:Dell & Linux anyone?) (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Dell & Linux anyone? (Score:2, Insightful)
How many Linux users do you know who would go out and buy the bottom-of-the-line of anything?
Well, I run mostly BSD-based os's, but 90% of my computers are pre-1998. My email server, for example, is a 486.
One of the fundamental cool things about most open-source operating systems is their ability to run on almost any hardware.
I know thats not what you're going at right now, but I thought it was a good point :)
Outsourced? (Score:5, Funny)
When I first read the headline I thought Dell had finally outsourced their CEO position.
(No doubt to be closer to the core of the company.)
Support top-down outsourcing!
Better Linux Support??? (Score:5, Interesting)
BTW: anyone notice that Dell's latest snail mail ad catalog was offering RedHat? So was Gateway's.
The only thing necessary for Micro$oft to triumph is for a few good programmers to do nothing". North County Computers [nccomp.com]
Re:Better Linux Support??? (Score:4, Insightful)
At least to me, open source is about choice. Its about choosing my OS. This is why I avoid Sun. At least with Wintel, I can run Linux, Netware, or Windows. But to run Solaris, I have to pay for SPARC or use the slower x86 version that they don't support as well and that one year they give away for free and the next year they say its being discontinued. I use open source because I can choose the best tool for the job. I just migrated a customer from an IMAP/SquirrelMail solution to MS Exchange. Why? Because all their users were Outlook power users and Exchange was the best tool for the job. But at least I know the server I spec'd will also run Linux so if they get tired of patches, viruses, etc., I can migrate them back... perhaps to Suse's OpenExchange server. Companies like Dell and IBM supporting Linux is like software coders compiling for different platforms. I user OpenOffice and Mozilla on all my Windows and Linux systems. Why? Because they're virtually identical on all platforms. I can switch OSs, but keep my profiles and files in sync.
I won't argue that the open source community bitches a lot. I think you have a valid point i this regard. But the reality is that if you took M$'s "we proudly use and recommend Windows" discounts out of the equation, companies like Dell (companies that are focused on the almightly dollar) would be more likely to support Linux. Heck, Dell would be better off just saying "we've tested our h/w offering for xxx line on RedHat x.x, Suse x.x, Debian x.x, etc. We don't provide technical support for Linux distributions, but our h/w will play well with Linux". The reality is that most of us that would look for a Linux happy system from Dell already know how to install it and use it. And for those that don't, there's Wal-Mart $200 PC's with Lindows.
A new career (Score:3, Informative)
Re:A new career (Score:2)
A new career in an Indian Call Centre (Score:3, Funny)
Comment removed (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Rags To Riches Story. (Score:2, Insightful)
Henry Rollins
http://www.bandhunt.com/artist_site/band.php/ro
not Kevin Rowlings
Henry Rollins named new Dell CEO (Score:4, Funny)
Rollins then proceeded to scream primally and body slam the dainty woman from CNN. DELL stock actually managed to reach negative numbers in early trading but closed out at a price of 2.3x10^-30 per share.
Actually .... (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Actually .... (Score:3, Interesting)
Because that's what happened to Eisner at Disney. Except he got a no-confidence from the shareholders (40+% abstained). He was still elected by default because no one ran against him. The Disney board decided to split the positions with seperate people as Chairman and CEO. Eisner is still the CEO (because he has that position contractually until 2006) and Mitchell is now the Chairman.
Or is it because they both start with the letter "D"? I'm sure
And his replacement is... (Score:3, Funny)
Not a big deal, really (Score:5, Insightful)
In the case of Dell: if your company is doing well but you want to split this job to make the Street happy, well, would you take the job that involves more work or the one that involves less? So the CEO job becomes more like a COO...and guess what? Rollins is the COO right now!
Like other posters I doubt this implies much change for Dell the company or Dell the man.
snafu (Score:3, Funny)
The only thing necessary for Micro$oft to triumph is for a few good programmers to do nothing". North County Computers [nccomp.com]
In other riveting /. news... (Score:2, Funny)
the GIANT HEAD just got smaller... (Score:2, Interesting)
Actually this is just a investors game. In the wake of some of the corporate scandals, large investors are pushing for the appearance of "better corporate governance". They would prefer that the Chairman of the Board is not also the CEO. The Board is supposed to provide oversight over the people running the day to day operations.
See what just happened at Disney with Eisner.
Gates and Balmer played this game a while back. Let Uncle Fester run the company
So Long, And Thanks For All The Toilet Paper (Score:3, Funny)
Sadly, it doesn't work this way... (Score:4, Funny)
You have been elected Chairman of the Board (again).
Pay each player $50.
Asked for a reason... (Score:4, Funny)
Dell's job was actually outsourced... (Score:3, Funny)
It's true! I read it on BBspot earlier today!
Dell sucks... (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Dell sucks... (Score:3)
Ted Waitt (Score:5, Interesting)
Ted Waitt did the same thing at Gateway three or four years ago, to pursue his interests in sexual violence prevention and equitable access to technology. Oddly enough I work on both of those, and have had the chance to meet him several times. Waitt's intelligence and money have helped in these areas, and I can only hope that Michael Dell might think about doing something similar.
Whew! (Score:3, Funny)
Re:somebody tell me why is this .... (Score:5, Funny)
You stepping down?
Re:Hmm (Score:5, Funny)
No kidding. Two years ago 1, last year there were 2, this year: 4!
Re:Hmm (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Hmm (Score:3, Funny)
The joke's on you. I'll be dead in 20 years. Who's laughing now?
Re:Hmm (Score:2)
Re:Why? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Why? (Score:4, Funny)
Senior Plumbing Architect wanted
You will have over 10+ years experience in the plumbing trade, be Corgi approved, and must have experience in the following: Mira Excel/Form/88/Advance/Extreme/Elite 2 and also Bristan Java/Omega/1901/Pinnacle. Experience with Triton, Aqualisa is desirable but not required as training will be provided. Your duties will include mentoring junior plumbers and providing feedback when required. You will also be expected to draw up specifications and cost estimates when necessary. As you will be meeting customers face to face, you will be expected to dress appropriately. A toolkit and company subsidized transport will also be available.
Salary: Negotiable
Re:Why? (Score:5, Interesting)
It says that he had softened his role previously, working on big picture issues, and all the things that are sort of fun to do and don't necessarily generate a hard product, so it probably won't change anything. Probably he just got burned out and wanted to do regattas, Larry Ellison-style.
Re:Mikes computer (Score:3)
Re:Mikes computer (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Mikes computer (Score:3, Funny)
http://www1.us.dell.com/content/topics/global.a
Re:Mikes computer (Score:2, Funny)
Shoulda just put a disclaimer in the original post...
Re:Mikes computer (Score:4, Insightful)
- Play games? No time. He's an executive.
- Compile sophisticated code? Hahahahaha....
- Find the billionth digit of pi? You've got to be kidding.
No, most likely he simply...
- Types emails in Outlook (perhaps with bold text)
- Writes memos and other executive-type papers in Word
- Surfs the internet
- Uses Dell's in-house accounting software
- Makes pretty presentations in PowerPoint
But then again, probably 80%* of the desktop population has many magnitudes more machine than they require. I'm waiting for the day when a computer company realizes that a computer does not have to be the end-all electronic appliance in a home. A glorified toaster for Office, web browsing, and email would suffice for the masses, if they can get their gaming fix from a console. Those of us with real computing needs can get the real computers.
* Warning! Made-up statistic!
playing games (Score:3, Interesting)
I guess you haven't met many executives. Golf games, flight sims, sports games. And odd one here and there who can go toe to toe with you in Halo or who'll take the plunge into Desert Combat. So who knows? Maybe Dell eagerly anticipates Half-Life 2 and Doom III as much as the rest of us.
Now, for most of the folks in most offices, no they don't require a machine with much umph to word process, email, and whatever.
Re:Mikes computer (Score:3, Insightful)
Hmmmmm? Wonder why?
Re:There's a pattern here... (Score:2)
maybe Michael Powell will quit being the FCC chairman?
Re:There's a pattern here... (Score:4, Funny)
Personally, I think it'd be more useful if michael [slashdot.org] got the heave-ho.
Re:Dude, I'm Cashing In (Score:3, Insightful)
Shareholders elect the chairman. They do not elect the president or CEO. If Dell remains as chairman, he must be working to increase shareholder gains or else they would fill the role with someone who would. (At the next election opportunity, that is, but we'll see...)
Michael Dell does not own enough shares alone to ensure that he gets or remains chairman; it's the shareholders who decide that.
Re:Dude, I'm Cashing In (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:AMD procs.. (Score:3, Insightful)
I mean just because they're more expensive, not really faster and generally are just name doesn't mean you should stick only with one company.
Shit Darwin's just a "theorist" anyways.
Re:AMD procs.. (Score:4, Insightful)
Last I checked DELL makes PCs/laptops/etc. They don't actually make the pieces.
However, since they only sell Intel procesesors with their computers they are doomed to follow Intel [up and down]. Say the next P4 [say the P5? oh shit they already made that... um P4-II?] is a bomb. What does DELL do then?
Really it makes good business sense to offer at least one alternative [say AMD and ideally they should offer Crusoe for laptops]. That way if one supplier bombs they're not shit out of product.
The correct analogy would be similar to Hertz only renting Ford cars or something.
Tom