BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com BloggingStocks http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/media/feedlogo.gif BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Dell being left behind as PC market re-energizes itself?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/23/dell-being-left-behind-as-pc-market-re-energizes-itself/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/23/dell-being-left-behind-as-pc-market-re-energizes-itself/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/23/dell-being-left-behind-as-pc-market-re-energizes-itself/#commentsFiled under: ,

Dell, Inc. (DELL) has been beaten up verbally recently, and its stock price has plummeted as well. The company's latest quarter was nothing to write home about, and there is talk that Dell's edge has long since been dulled and the company is a lumbering giant unable to do anything more than sell and service commodity products. The recent Perot Systems acquisition is more a defensive move than an offensive one, for example. So, is Dell floundering? In many ways, definitely yes.

Continue reading Dell being left behind as PC market re-energizes itself?

Dell being left behind as PC market re-energizes itself? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AdamoDellDell LaptopDell PCsDellLaptopDellPcsInc.michael DellMichaelDellMon, 23 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Can Dell be changed enough to be seen as innovative again?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/10/21/can-dell-be-changed-enough-to-be-seen-as-innovative-again/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/10/21/can-dell-be-changed-enough-to-be-seen-as-innovative-again/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/10/21/can-dell-be-changed-enough-to-be-seen-as-innovative-again/#commentsFiled under: ,

Michael Dell of Dell, Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) has confirmed the launch of a Dell-branded smartphone sometime in 2010, one has to wonder this: why? Now that Dell has slipped to third place globally in terms of PC shipments, the computer direct selling pioneer now appears to be rather non-innovative, save for the Adamo paper-thin laptop PC that it keeps touting.

Continue reading Can Dell be changed enough to be seen as innovative again?

Can Dell be changed enough to be seen as innovative again? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DellDell competitionDellCompetitionInc.Michael DellMichaelDellsmartphoneWed, 21 Oct 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Seven characteristics of the rich and famous: A blueprint to uber-wealth]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/10/05/seven-characteristics-of-the-rich-and-famous-a-blueprint-to-ube/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/10/05/seven-characteristics-of-the-rich-and-famous-a-blueprint-to-ube/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/10/05/seven-characteristics-of-the-rich-and-famous-a-blueprint-to-ube/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Those with aspirations of unfettered wealth look for clues everywhere. From top schools to unique talents, they build profiles of what it takes to become absurdly wealthy ... as though the process can be blueprinted. Well, if you're looking for answers, the Forbes 400 list is a great place to start. If anyone has mastered the art of making money, it's this collection of billionaires. They have the answers, and you are ready to learn.

A look at the lives of the Forbes 400 implies that the most important attribute is the ability to sift through ambiguity. Contradictions abound, meaning that shades of gray hold the answer to your burning desire for riches. Should you go to a great school? Well, yes ... but only if you're going for an MBA and plan to work for a major financial firm. But, you can still go to an Ivy League school if you're not studying finance but join Skull and Bones. Of course, dropping out of Harvard can be a great way to launch a career in the technology field.

It's tricky. There are no easy answers. But, the road to billions is littered with the corpses of aspiring magnates who thought it wouldn't be difficult. So, don't just read the seven attributes after the jump. Understand them. Read them twice. Then, your future financial situation will be assured.

Or, you can just do one of those chain e-mails and wish for wealth.

[Thanks, Forbes and MSNBC]

Continue reading Seven characteristics of the rich and famous: A blueprint to uber-wealth

Seven characteristics of the rich and famous: A blueprint to uber-wealth originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bill gatesBillGatescolumbiacolumbia universityColumbiaUniversitydellfacebookfeaturedforbesforbes 400forbes magazineforbes.comForbes400ForbesMagazinegoldmangoldman sachsgoldman sachs group gsGoldmanSachsgoldmansachsgroupGoldmanSachsGroupGsgsharvardharvard business schoolharvard universityHarvardBusinessSchoolHarvardUniversityinc.ivy leagueIvyLeaguelarry ellisonLarryEllisonmark zuckerbergMarkZuckerbergmichael dellMichaelDellmicrosoftmicrosoft msftMicrosoftMsftmsftskull and bonesSkullAndBonessteve jobsSteveJobsuniversity of pennsylvaniaUniversityOfPennsylvaniawhartonMon, 05 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dell wants to ramp up acquisitions to jumpstart growth]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/11/dell-wants-to-ramp-up-acquisitions-to-jumpstart-growth/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/11/dell-wants-to-ramp-up-acquisitions-to-jumpstart-growth/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/11/dell-wants-to-ramp-up-acquisitions-to-jumpstart-growth/#commentsFiled under: ,

Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL), which has been arguably pummeled in recent years by larger competitor Hewlett-Packard Corporation (NYSE: HPQ), is moving right along every quarter but definitely is not growing like HP is. The Round Rock, TX-based computer behemoth doesn't have the product and services portfolio HP has, and although it has launched into retailers in the last 18 months to great applause, it hasn't been enough. Dell is simply another brand of PC on the retail shelf. There is very little to no value proposition there. What to do?

Continue reading Dell wants to ramp up acquisitions to jumpstart growth

Dell wants to ramp up acquisitions to jumpstart growth originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DellDell acquisitionsDEll growthDellAcquisitionsDellGrowthInc.Michael DellMichaelDellThu, 11 Jun 2009 16:50:00 EST<![CDATA[After two years, is Dell any better than before?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/04/after-two-years-is-dell-any-better-than-before/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/04/after-two-years-is-dell-any-better-than-before/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/04/after-two-years-is-dell-any-better-than-before/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Dell, Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) welcomed back its founder, Michael Dell, a little over two years ago after ousting then-CEO Kevin Rollins. Rollins' goal of hitting $80 billion in annual sales never panned out as the company was getting pounded by larger competitor Hewlett-Packard Corp. (NYSE: HPQ) and was completely missing the boat in consumer sales and customized PC products.

Fast forward two years. Is Dell any better? Sure it is -- it has entered the retail market in just about every way, offered cool new designs and product types and has tried feverishly to shed the "PC commodity maker" status it has held for almost its entire history. Just as early as last year, the company re-focused its entire organization around the customer type instead of geographical boundaries. Who knew focus around the customer was the right way to operate?

Continue reading After two years, is Dell any better than before?

After two years, is Dell any better than before? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 04 Feb 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DellDell founderDellFounderMichael DellMichaelDellWed, 04 Feb 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dell to close Ireland facility, hand out 1,900 pink slips]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/08/dell-to-close-ireland-facility-hand-out-1-900-pink-slips/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/08/dell-to-close-ireland-facility-hand-out-1-900-pink-slips/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/08/dell-to-close-ireland-facility-hand-out-1-900-pink-slips/#commentsFiled under: , ,

While Lenovo is facing cutbacks and sluggish sales, the company right ahead of it in global PC sales -- Dell, Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) -- is going through some of the same motions. Not only has CEO Michael Dell changed the top management last week, it will continue shedding jobs. As of this morning, the PC maker announced that it would lay off 1,900 workers in Ireland at its main plant there and shift production to Poland instead.

So, U.S. workers are not the only ones feeling the unemployment pinch. In addition to moving all production work to Poland for the EMEA region, Dell will also move parts of the previous Irish production to third-party manufacturers -- something that outgoing operations chief Mike Cannon was an expert at.

Dell's about-to-be former Limerick, Ireland facility was opened in 1990 and employed 4,500 people at its peak. With swings in the global economy and the PC market, though, it's now going away. Dell's status as Ireland's largest single exporter may be at stake after the Limerick facility is closed, but that's not entirely clear yet. The PC maker will continue to operate its sales and marketing division in Dublin as well as keeping open its Global Innovation Solutions Center in Limerick.

Dell to close Ireland facility, hand out 1,900 pink slips originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 08 Jan 2009 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DellDell layoffsDellLayoffsinthenewsLenovoMichael DellMichaelDellThu, 08 Jan 2009 10:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Dell looks for huge cuts, Michael Dell keeps his salary]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/05/dell-looks-for-huge-cuts-michael-dell-keeps-his-salary/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/05/dell-looks-for-huge-cuts-michael-dell-keeps-his-salary/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/05/dell-looks-for-huge-cuts-michael-dell-keeps-his-salary/#commentsFiled under: ,

Michael Dell needs to get his story straight. He recently said that Dell's (NASDAQ: DELL) sales were doing well in China and the Middle East. Investors should look at that as a good sign.

Now, the CEO of the No.2 PC company says his firm needs to make really big cuts. According to The Wall Street Journal, "The company is imposing a hiring freeze, offering employees voluntary buyouts and asking workers to take one to five days off without pay." The "without pay" thing seems a bit bizarre for a company that is still profitable.

Based on information from last quarter, Dell had $8 billion in cash and made $784 million in net income.

Dell is asking a lot of the people who are still with the company after several rounds of restructuring. The company's founder and CEO is not doing anything to pitch in. Not only is he a billionaire, but according to the firm's last proxy, he made $2.3 billion.

Dell got his company into trouble by overbuilding manufacturing operations. He can afford to take $1 a year so that the people he is asking to do more feel that he is in the trouble with him.

But he did not cut his salary one penny.

Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 247wallst.com.

Dell looks for huge cuts, Michael Dell keeps his salary originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 05 Nov 2008 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>110508cost cuttingCostCuttingDELLinthenewsmichael dellMichaelDellWed, 05 Nov 2008 08:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Michael Dell: We may make a phone. Just not yet.]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/09/05/michael-dell-we-may-make-a-phone-just-not-yet/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/09/05/michael-dell-we-may-make-a-phone-just-not-yet/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/09/05/michael-dell-we-may-make-a-phone-just-not-yet/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Dell, Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) founder and current CEO Michael Dell said this week at the Citigroup technology conference in New York that his company may make a wireless smartphone. Sigh. This rhetoric is getting ridiculous. I am sure Dell hired former Motorola wireless division chieftain Ron Garriques to man the company's technical support lines. Note to Michael Dell: just announce a friggin' phone already and get over it.

In recent years (until about the end of 2007), Dell's formulaic "me too" stance in non-PC electronics like flat-screen televisions, MP3 players and others have fallen flat on their respective faces. When the company saw the market for PDAs dissolving into nothing, it stopped making its Axim line of Windows Mobile PDAs -- which were regarded by some as some of the nicer ones on the market. Yet, it has not replaced that PDA line with a smartphone that is very powerful but features voice calling plus 3G wireless data. In other words, it's way behind the market here. Ask Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) about its iPhone sales for more elaboration on this.

Dell himself stated at the Citigroup conference, "I think you will see us with small screen devices ... you'll see us with smaller and smaller devices that have capabilities of the devices you are referring to. Not in the near-term." What does that mean? Sometime in 2010 we'll see Dell with another me-too smartphone that's cookie-cutter and years behind the competition? If that's the plan, Dell's new smartphone had better be game-changing like Apple's iPhone was in 2007. If not, Dell's history of making commodity products will ring up another boring (but sellable and profitable) semi-winner.

Michael Dell: We may make a phone. Just not yet. originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAPLDellDell phoneDellPhoneInc.iPhoneMichael DellMichaelDellRonGarriquesFri, 05 Sep 2008 14:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Michael Dell: A big second half coming in 2008]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/28/michael-dell-a-big-second-half-coming-in-2008/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/28/michael-dell-a-big-second-half-coming-in-2008/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/28/michael-dell-a-big-second-half-coming-in-2008/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Dell, Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) made quite a few changes in 2007. Its founder, Michael Dell, came back to lead the company, it entered the retail market in the U.S. in a large way and it began introducing more appealing laptop PC designs to cater to the consumers who love choice. As a result of all these changes, CEO Michael Dell is now predicting a strong second half for Dell in 2008.

Dell mentioned that the company he founded would "have a big second half" based on numbers so far in 2008. Dell's consumer business sales rose 20% for the Q1 period ended on May 2, and Dell is predicting even stronger growth for the current quarter and the Q3 period as well.

Based on all the strong moves Dell made in 2007 and into the last fiscal period, he could be right. Dell's retail partnering in the U.S. and with Gome in China is going to mean some wicked business the rest of this year. However, competitor Hewlett-Packard Corp. (NYSE: HPQ) recently unveiled one of the largest product refreshes in its history and Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) just moved past Taiwan's Acer to take the third spot in U.S. PC sales. It won't be a simple task for Dell to keep this segment growing like it has predicted.

And that's just the consumer PC business. Dell's efforts in the large market area that includes Russia, China, India and others grew at a 58% pace in the company's Q1 period, and a grouping of emerging markets accounted for 12% of Dell's sales in the Q1 period as well. Add that to its push into a huge "cloud computing" marketing towards customers who order hundreds or even thousands of servers at a time, and Dell has many tricks up its sleeve to keep things growing at a decent pace.

Michael Dell: A big second half coming in 2008 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 28 Jul 2008 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaplDellDell retailDellRetailhpqinthenewsMichael DellMichaelDellMon, 28 Jul 2008 11:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Will Bill Gates have to un-retire from Microsoft?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/27/will-bill-gates-have-to-un-retire-from-microsoft/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/27/will-bill-gates-have-to-un-retire-from-microsoft/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/27/will-bill-gates-have-to-un-retire-from-microsoft/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) co-founder Bill Gates is riding off into the sunset today, at least he sort of is. The man who made nerds and geeks "cool" is shifting his focus away from the world's largest software company to his philanthropic work.

Gates contributions to modern society cannot be understated. When he gets older, my 20-month-old son will no doubt be surprised to learn that there was a time when computers were expensive, impersonal devices the size of several refrigerators. Gates helped make the computer personal. Of that there is no doubt. How he did it remains open to debate. The elite geeks despise Microsoft for developing expensive, inferior operating systems that are prone to crashes and computer viruses.

The shift by Gates, which has been expected for some time, comes as the Redmond, Washington-based company is at a crossroads. Back in the 1970s and 1980s, Microsoft was the underdog that upended the tech establishment lead by International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE: IBM).

Continue reading Will Bill Gates have to un-retire from Microsoft?

Will Bill Gates have to un-retire from Microsoft? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bill GATesBillGatesDELLfeaturedGOOGhoward schultzHowardSchultzMichael DellMichaelDellMSFTSBUXFri, 27 Jun 2008 12:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Where is Dell headed with its next quarterly results?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/28/where-is-dell-headed-with-its-next-quarterly-results/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/28/where-is-dell-headed-with-its-next-quarterly-results/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/28/where-is-dell-headed-with-its-next-quarterly-results/#commentsFiled under: , ,

When Dell, Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) releases quarterly results Thursday how will it do? Dell has managed to quickly enter the consumer retailer market, which has helped it stave off the more valiant Hewlett-Packard Corp. (NYSE: HPQ) from running away with just about ever retailer PC sale these days. But investors are bound to say, "that was yesterday -- what have you done for me today?"

Analysts are expecting the company to report earnings of 33 cents per share on revenue of $15.66 billion, according to Thomson Reuters. Although Dell announced a $1 billion share buyback plan just a few months ago, it needs to all it can to not let its stock price implode. The growth may be over (permanently), and the brand may not be the premier name it once was. Add that to the fact that the competition (most notably H-P) enjoys every cost savings Dell once did, and the picture become way less rosy.

Does Dell have any angles left? From a fundamental PC selling standpoint, it's hard to make that argument. In terms of Micheal Dell's famous comment that Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) should be sold off in pieces and money returned to shareholders. My, my how the tables have turned. Still, Dell is not going anywhere fast and its stock price could be languishing in the dust for quite some time.

Where is Dell headed with its next quarterly results? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 28 May 2008 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DellDell earningsDell performanceDellEarningsDellPerformanceinthenewsMichael DellMichaelDellPCstech stocksTechStocksWed, 28 May 2008 09:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Dell is NOT Apple!]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/04/07/dell-is-not-apple/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/04/07/dell-is-not-apple/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/04/07/dell-is-not-apple/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

I do a weekly radio show titled Good Day Wealth with Doug Stephan and Georges Yared every Saturday morning coast-to-coast. It's a fun and hopefully informative show about the economy, stock market, etc. We take listeners calls both in email and live on the air. I got an email from one listener, William, who is thinking about putting 60% or so of his portfolio into Dell (NASDAQ: DELL) because "if Steve Jobs can do it with Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), Michael Dell can do it with Dell."

My response to William is no way -- don't even think about it. Dell is NOT Apple.

Apple is a growth story with multiple legs to it. From the iPod to the iPhone, the new Mac and its attendant software, to, of course, the incredible retail store system that numbers more than 200 strong, globally, Apple is a true growth story for the next several years. Apple has another thing going for it: terrific and expanding margins.

Continue reading Dell is NOT Apple!

Dell is NOT Apple! originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 07 Apr 2008 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaplappledellmichael dellMichaelDellsteve jobsSteveJobsMon, 07 Apr 2008 11:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Dell: 'We won't grow at all costs']]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/03/03/dell-we-wont-grow-at-all-costs/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/03/03/dell-we-wont-grow-at-all-costs/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/03/03/dell-we-wont-grow-at-all-costs/#commentsFiled under: , ,

As Doug McIntyre mentioned last week, Dell, Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) didn't hit its most recent quarterly numbers amid continuing higher costs during the quarter. The company "has a lot more work to do" -- so much that it seems the one golden boy of cost control is out of sorts with itself. Founder and CEO Michael Dell did say that "we won't grow at all costs" during the conference call. This was directed at the analysts' mosh-pit that expects growth over every other metric. Because, you know, profits are secondary.

Although its retail effort seems to be going well, Dell fights for shelf space and sales with all of its largest competitors at almost every retailer. Entering into retail was not some kind of exclusivity magic shell-game for the computer maker. It has to work long-term, and it hasn't even been a year since Dell entered retail. The company indeed made moves towards "transforming itself" during the quarter (read: cutting costs). But can it continue to expand its business in the U.S. and overseas without washing itself in red ink at the same time? That's the delicate challenge. Unfortunately, top competitor Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE: HPQ) is the strongest it's been in over a decade behind CEO Mark Hurd.

Dell went on to say that "improvements in profitability will take some time," and it will continue to lower headcount to reduce overall costs in addition to designing market-leading notebook PCs for consumers. Both strategies are paying off: one on the costs side and one on the revenue side. Then again, another huge challenge is increasing sales outside the U.S., where Hewlett-Packard currently enjoys roughly two-thirds of its sales. As such, a downturn in any particular market insulates HP from sagging results with the breadth of global sales it has. If Dell can also achieve that level of padding, any consumer downturn that could happen this summer won't hurt nearly as much.

Dell: 'We won't grow at all costs' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 03 Mar 2008 12:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DELLDell resultsDell, Inc.Dell,Inc.DellResultsDon CartyDonCartyMichael DellMichaelDellMon, 03 Mar 2008 12:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Hewlett-Packard's Hurd: We can do even better]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/22/hewlett-packards-hurd-we-can-do-even-better/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/22/hewlett-packards-hurd-we-can-do-even-better/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/22/hewlett-packards-hurd-we-can-do-even-better/#commentsFiled under: , ,

When Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE: HPQ) again topped expectations for its latest fiscal quarter this week, the world's largest computer maker seemed like it could do no wrong. In addition to again besting estimates, CEO Mark Hurd again set the bar high for other tech CEOs. If Dell, Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) CEO Michael Dell believes he's got a fierce competitor in Hurd, that would be an understatement. Hurd is everything former Dell CEO Kevin Rollins should have been and more.

But that's still not good enough for the low-key Hurd, who most likely believes that the company can still do better. After raising guidance this week for the remainder of 2008, Hurd stated that "we've got a lot of work to do here," using his famous phrase that he's used to describe various high-performing business units within the company. Hurd also dropped a hint that he won't be CEO of the world's largest computer maker forever, stating that "It's important to know when your work is done ... CEOs can stay too long." Not that Hurd is going anywhere at the moment -- he just recognizes that he'll be exiting HP at some point in the future when the time is right.

Hurd's taken a unique, nuts-and-bolts approach to his job that has flat-out worked. Instead of trumpeting vision, he focuses in on strategy and execution. Instead of chasing market share at all costs, he looks at each business unit with laser precision and pays special attention to costs. By taking care of the underlying infrastructure and nurturing all those components, success will emerge. It sure has for H-P, which seems to be outgunning competitor Dell in just about every area where the two compete. It'll be that way until Hurd retires from the company, which will probably be many years from now. Until then, H-P looks to be continually poised at the top.

Hewlett-Packard's Hurd: We can do even better originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 22 Feb 2008 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dellfeaturedHewlett PackardHewlettPackardHPQMark HurdMarkHurdmichael dellMichaelDelltech stocksTechStocksFri, 22 Feb 2008 13:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Dell announces call center layoffs in US and Canada]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/01/dell-announces-call-center-staff-layoffs-in-us-and-canada/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/01/dell-announces-call-center-staff-layoffs-in-us-and-canada/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/01/dell-announces-call-center-staff-layoffs-in-us-and-canada/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Dell, Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) announced yesterday that the company will finally bring last year's layoff announcement to its customer service operations in a few contact centers. Over 900 employees in its Canadian Ottawa operations will be let go, along with approximately 300 in Dell's Oklahoma City customer contact center as well. In the case of the Oklahoma call center, consumer sales and consumer technical support are being hit hard, but the center will also take on more business technical support responsibilities.

Today is the last day of Dell's fiscal year, and it's a time when the company wants to take charges on its books instead of carrying them over to the new fiscal year, so the timing of these layoffs makes sense financially. However, the company was trumpeting growing both contact centers just over a year ago -- and now headcount reductions are happening. My, how a year can change things drastically, yes?

The company still has a long way to go in order to catch market leader Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE: HPQ), which passed it last year as the world's largest computer maker. Dell responded by bringing in a bunch of new blood and by entering the retail market as quickly as possible. Perhaps when it bolsters sales back up, it may need to support those new customers with customer service employee re-hirings. Until then, it's just another zany day in the tech worker layoff arena.

Dell announces call center layoffs in US and Canada originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 01 Feb 2008 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Dell customer serviceDell layoffsDell RetailDell, Inc.Dell,Inc.DellCustomerServiceDellLayoffsDellRetailinthenewsMichael DellMichaelDellFri, 01 Feb 2008 11:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Starbucks: Now it gets interesting -- Could Schultz make a difference?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/01/08/starbucks-now-it-gets-interesting-could-schultz-make-a-diffe/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/01/08/starbucks-now-it-gets-interesting-could-schultz-make-a-diffe/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/01/08/starbucks-now-it-gets-interesting-could-schultz-make-a-diffe/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

With the announcement that Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) chairman and founder Howard Schultz is re-assuming the role of chief executive officer, it gets real interesting. Why?

Founders know the vision and the dream better than anyone; after all, it was their idea. The landscape is littered with founders returning to the CEO role. Larry Ellison has done so with Oracle (NASDAQ: ORCL), Michael Dell has come back to Dell (NASDAQ: DELL), and perhaps the most successful, Steve Jobs of Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL). The founder of an enterprise typically has the passion and the vision to where the enterprise should be. The problem with founders is that they normally are not great managers.

Steve Jobs of Apple had to actually get fired from Apple, found Pixar, develop it and eventually sell it to Disney (NYSE: DIS) before he learned the necessary lessons to bring Apple back. His record of accomplishment will be the subject of MBA course studies, and maybe even psychology books!

With Dell, the jury is out, both on him and the company. I don't like Dell, the company, and could not understand Wall Street's enthusiasm in 2007. Dell's business is characterized by depressing margins -- never a good sign -- and Hewlett Packard (NYSE: HPQ) controlling both margins and the market share. Dell may never come back, at least not the way it is structured now.

Ellison at Oracle has acquired growth through depressed, but smart acquisitions, to build the applications business around its core database business.

And Howard Schultz at Starbucks?

Continue reading Starbucks: Now it gets interesting -- Could Schultz make a difference?

Starbucks: Now it gets interesting -- Could Schultz make a difference? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 08 Jan 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aapldellfeaturedhoward schultzHowardSchultzlarry ellisonLarryEllisonmcdmichael dellMichaelDellsbuxstarbuckssteve jobsSteveJobsTue, 08 Jan 2008 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Why are Dell's costs out of control?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/06/why-are-dells-costs-out-of-control/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/06/why-are-dells-costs-out-of-control/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/06/why-are-dells-costs-out-of-control/#commentsFiled under: ,

When Dell, Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) reported earnings just recently, the world's second largest computer maker showed above-average revenue but profits lagged expectations due to higher costs in the quarter. Meanwhile competitor Hewlett-Packard Corp. (NYSE: HPQ) reported a stellar quarter on everything from revenue to profit to future guidance. It seems as though Dell and HP have completely traded places from where they stood in 2004, no?

Dell brings up the issue of bigger-than-expected costs being a problem in the third quarter as it tries to explain why its profits sunk. Inquiring investors want to know why component prices were a problem for Dell in the back half of 2007 when HP saw lower component costs in the same period?

Your guess is as good as mine, but the questions won't stop there. For a company that built a reputation around being lean all the way around, what happened to Dell's cost structure recently? That has not been answered directly -- yet.

Continue reading Why are Dell's costs out of control?

Why are Dell's costs out of control? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 06 Dec 2007 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DELLDell costsDell, Inc.Dell,Inc.DellCostsDon CartyDonCartyKevin RollinsKevinRollinsMichael DellMichaelDellThu, 06 Dec 2007 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dell doesn't wow Wall Street]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/29/dell-doesnt-wow-wall-street/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/29/dell-doesnt-wow-wall-street/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/29/dell-doesnt-wow-wall-street/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Shares of Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) fell in after-hours trading after the computer maker reported third-quarter earnings that didn't impress Wall Street.

Net income rose 27% to $766 million, or 34 cents, on and sales rose 8.5% to $15.6`5 billion. Excluding one-time items, profit was 35 cents meeting analysts' forecasts. The revenue figure beat analysts' forecasts of $15.36 billion.

Investors appear to be reacting to the 6% decline in Dell's U..S. consumer business which underscores the challenge the Round Rock. Texas-based company faces in recapturing the top spot in the PC market from Hewlett-Packard.Corp. (NASDAQ: HPQ). Analysts also may have expected better margin performance.

Moreover, the outlook was also a bit downbeat in the earnings release.

"The company continues to focus on strategic priorities that will provide better value to customers while driving a more optimal balance of liquidity, profitability and growth," the company said. "As the company executes against these priorities it will continue to incur costs as it restructures to improve productivity and execution, reduce headcount where appropriate, and invest in infrastructure and acquisitions. These actions, which the company believes are necessary to drive long-term sustainable value, may adversely impact the company's performance."

Dell doesn't wow Wall Street originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 29 Nov 2007 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dellhpqhqpmichael dellMichaelDellpc marketsPcMarketsThu, 29 Nov 2007 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dell misses Q3 earnings by a penny]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/29/dell-misses-q3-earnings-by-a-penny/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/29/dell-misses-q3-earnings-by-a-penny/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/29/dell-misses-q3-earnings-by-a-penny/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Dell (NASDAQ: DELL) rolled out its Q3 numbers after the bell this afternoon, and they were in-line with expectations. The analyst crowd had pegged Dell with a $0.35 EPS for the Q3 period, and the company saw an actual of $0.34 for the quarter, missing consensus estimates by a penny. Will the market punish it after hours? So far, yes -- Dell shares are down to $26.29 in after-hours trading after completing the trading day at $28.14.

Dell's Q3 revenues were $15.6 billion, up 9% from the year-ago quarter, with operating income at $829 million (up 13% year over year). In addition, the world's second-largest computer maker saw $1 billion in cash from its operations, along with growing its business in the Americas 7%. By contrast, Dell's international operations grew much larger than that: EMEA business grew 14% while the Asia Pacific region saw 18% growth gains.

Dell has spent $103 million YTD on acquisitions, which include Silverback, Zing, ASAP, EqualLogic and Everdream. Dell, in other words, is trying to make up for lost ground using a string of smaller acquisitions. This was not the company's strategy about 24 months ago, but times have changed. If you'd like to see all the details currently being presented in the Q3 conference call, visit this link (PDF download).

Dell misses Q3 earnings by a penny originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 29 Nov 2007 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DELLDell Q3 earningsDell resultsDell, Inc.Dell,Inc.DellQ3EarningsDellResultsinthenewsMichael DellMichaelDellThu, 29 Nov 2007 17:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Do HP numbers make life harder for Dell?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/21/do-hp-hpq-numbers-make-life-harder-for-dell-dell/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/21/do-hp-hpq-numbers-make-life-harder-for-dell-dell/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/21/do-hp-hpq-numbers-make-life-harder-for-dell-dell/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Reuters makes the argument that strong numbers from HP (NYSE: HPQ) will cause the market to expect more from Dell (NASDAQ: DELL). The news service says HP "results may raise the bar for competitor Dell, which is more vulnerable to U.S. economic woes and reports earnings next week." Dell does get 85% of its sales from the U.S. market.

Wall Street is not so stupid that it has missed the vulnerability in the Dell model. HP's shares are up more than 20% so far this year. Dell's are only up 5%.

Dell only needs to report very modest numbers to please investors. Its new program to sell to consumers through retail outlets is only a year old and its push into key markets like China is in the early stages.

The question investors will have for Dell management is: what does 2008 look like? If the PC company cannot begin to pick up shares from HP, Lenovo, and Acer by then, the turnaround is no turnaround. It will have turned out to be a nice try.

Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 247wallst.com.

Do HP numbers make life harder for Dell? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 21 Nov 2007 12:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>computer makersComputerMakersdellhpqinthenewslaptop salesLaptopSalesmichael dellMichaelDellpc salespcsPcSalestech stocksTechStocksWed, 21 Nov 2007 12:08:00 EST