As they play Snood or download MP3s, many students may not realize the creative genius and business savvy that went into the computers they use everyday. University students had the opportunity yesterday to meet one of the men behind the monitor.
Over 100 students and faculty members packed the Darden School's Saunders Hall while others watched via satellite connection as Michael Dell, founder and CEO of Dell Computer Corp., engaged in an open forum with Edward A. Snyder, dean of the Darden School, and audience members.
Dell spoke about his career and knowledge of today's fast paced technological world at at an event sponsored by the Business Technology Club.
Dell started Dell Computers in 1984. Today, the company employs 40,000 people at offices in 34 countries worldwide and is a Fortune 500 company.
Dell addressed the steps he took to catapult his company to international success.
"The idea that our company really latched on to was that the distribution channel was insufficient," Dell said. "We started essentially by buying components and eventually we started designing our own personal computers."
"The most treacherous time in the company's life was the first couple of years," but because of the expanding market, the company was able to thrive despite difficulties, he said.
Dell offered advice for those starting new businesses. Often, young businesses are too eager for perfection, he added.
"You can over-plan," Dell said. "A lot of times new businesses try to plan things too carefully. I believe that the way you learn is by making mistakes."
The forum also raised the issue of computers' role in education.
The population needs to be better educated on new technology, so they can use it more effectively in their everyday lives, he said.
"I think at some point education needs to go beyond reading, writing and arithmetic and think about computers," he added.
"If we don't have people coming out of our schools who know how to use these tools, how are they going to function in society? And if the schools don't do it, how are they going to learn?" he added.
Some audience members wondered what efforts Dell's corporation was undertaking to help promote computer literacy.
One dilemma Dell said the company is trying to address is that, many times, when classrooms receive computers, teachers do not know how to use the new equipment.
"We've funded clinics and programs to get [teachers] up to speed so that the teachers know more than the kids do, which is often the problem," he said.
Audience members responded positively to Dell's comments.
"I think its great to have Michael speak to young people" said John Olsen, senior consultant for Dell and 1997 Darden graduate. "A lot of times people are so far removed from this element."
"He's a great speaker. He's innovative and exciting to listen to," said Erin Geaney, a fourth-year Computer Engineering student who was recently hired by Dell Computers.
Snyder, who facilitated the program, said he was grateful Dell was willing to set aside time to speak at Darden.
"We're delighted to have him here. It's good for the U.Va.-Dell relationship," he said. "Especially for the people that are entrepreneurial, Michael Dell is a hero. The man is only 35 years old."
"He struck me as very down-to-earth and very customer oriented," he added.
Dell said his motivation and driving force in the industry is its competitiveness.
"I like seeing our competitors squirm," he said jokingly. "I love to compete. I love to take on challenges that people think are impossible"
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