Michael Dell

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Michael Saul Dell was born on February 23, 1965, in Houston, Texas, into a Jewish family. His father, Alexander Dell, was an orthodontist, and his mother, Lorraine Charlotte (née Langfan), was a stockbroker. His family’s original surname, “Thal” (meaning “valley”), was Anglicized when his ancestors immigrated to the United States. Early on, Dell displayed remarkable business instincts: as a child he purchased a calculator, disassembled an Apple II at age 15 to explore how it worked, and even applied to take a high-school equivalency exam at age eight. During high school he sold newspaper subscriptions in creative ways, earning substantial income. He enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin as a pre-med student in 1983, but his entrepreneurial activities soon overtook his schooling.  

Michael Dell is best known as the founder, chairman and CEO of Dell Technologies (originally Dell Computer Corporation). In 1984, while still a freshman in college, he started a company in his dorm room that assembled and sold upgrade kits for personal computers and later full PCs. His direct-to-consumer business model—selling PCs configured to order rather than via traditional retail channels—revolutionized the personal computer industry. Over the years Dell Technologies expanded from computers to servers, storage, enterprise solutions, and services, becoming one of the largest technology infrastructure companies in the world. Under his leadership notable moves included taking the company private in 2013 and acquiring major firms like EMC Corporation in 2016 (then the largest tech acquisition in history).  

Michael Dell’s innovations in business and technology fundamentally changed how PCs are built, marketed, and delivered—bringing more customization, efficiency and lower costs to consumers and enterprises alike. His shift from a retail model to a direct-sales and build-to-order model influenced the broader supply-chain strategies of the tech industry. Beyond business, his philanthropic efforts through the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation have had major impact: supporting urban education, childhood health, and economic mobility in the U.S., India and Africa. His Jewish identity and values also shaped his commitment to community, Jewish life (for example in Austin, Texas) and responding to crises; for example he pledged millions to assist Texas after Hurricane Harvey. Through his global business reach and philanthropic investments, Dell demonstrates how entrepreneurial success can be harnessed for broad social influence. 

• Founded a major tech company (Dell Technologies) with a disruptive direct-to-consumer model.
   
• Pioneered build-to-order/customization in the PC market, influencing supply-chain and manufacturing practices industry-wide.
   
• Led major strategic moves: company-going private-then-public, large acquisitions, pivoting into enterprise solutions and services.
   
• Leveraged his wealth and platform for philanthropy: major contributions to education, health, and community development across continents.
   
• Supported Jewish community infrastructure and broader inter-community initiatives, reflecting his cultural and religious heritage.
   
• Demonstrated that technical curiosity (e.g., disassembling computers) combined with business insight can scale into global impact.

Match the term on the left with its correct description on the right:

• A. Direct-to-Consumer Sales Model
   
• B. Michael & Susan Dell Foundation
   
• C. Build-to-Order PC Manufacturing
   
• D. Donation to Rebuild Texas Fund
   
• E. Early Curiosity with Computers
   

Descriptions:

1. A philanthropic vehicle focused on education, health, families.
    
2. The business approach of selling PCs configured to order rather than off the shelf.
    
3. Transforming personal computer manufacturing to be more efficient and customized.
    
4. His early experimentation (e.g., disassembling an Apple II, buying teletype machines).
    
5. A significant donation after Hurricane Harvey to help communities in Texas recover.

Imagine you are a teenager with a strong hobby or interest (like Dell was with computers).
Step A: Write down your idea (what you might build or sell, and who would buy it).
Step B: Identify the “gap” or problem you are solving (e.g., “retail charges too much”, “students need custom tools”, etc.).
Step C: Sketch a simple business model inspired by Dell’s (direct to consumer? subscription? upgrade kits?).
Step D: Reflect: What values would you build into your business—how might you tie in giving back, community, or culture like Michael Dell did?