- Evaluate critically the sustainable competitive advantages of Dell and explain how these have changed over the last five years. What are the implications of your analysis for the company’s new strategy of moving further into Enterprise Solutions and Services?
- Use VRIO to identify the core capabilities or competences that give Dell its sustained competitive advantages.
- Identify the competitive advantages of Dell
- Based on that discuss how these capabilities will/will not support the new service ‘Enterprise Solutions and Services
- Dell began expanding its activities in the area of ‘Enterprise solutions and services’ by a series of acquisitions. Companies that rely on acquisition strategies have both advantages and problems. What are the challenges Dell may face?
- What were Dell’s key acquisitions in the case study?
- Identify the key issues/challenges in any acquisition: culture, integration into the main company etc..
- Using the Integration matrix (Week 7 Slides) identify what type of integration should Dell adopt?
- What advantages/disadvantages exist for each type of integration strategy suggested?
- Dell does not appear to have been one of the industry’s prime innovators in the years since 2005, unlike Apple and Samsung for example. Critically comment upon the Dell strategies undertaken by Michael Dell and his colleagues since 2005. ( be critically and analyse)
- How important is innovation to this industry?(Not important for them but it should be
- Go through the case and comment critically on the strategies undertaken by Dell since 2005 in the light of their competitive advantages, changes in the industry, growth of competitors etc..
- Using the BCG matrix position Dell’s products/services based on the information in the case study and then discuss the strategic options available to the senior management.
- Plot each of Dell’s products/services on the BCG matrix using the information in the case. ( justify)
- Dekstop PC’s and Notebooks
- Software and Peripherals
- Enterprise Solutions and Services
- Discuss the strategic options (Example; Invest, Harvest, Divest) in your view suitable for each product/service and according to theory
- Looking ahead from 2018, what strategies do you now propose for Dell? Give the reasoning behind your answer. (Look at the latest industry report on the PC’s market and the 2018-19 annual report to frame your answer)
- Download and Read the latest industry report on the PC’s, market from Mintel or other similar sources
- Review the annual report for financial performance and strategies currently adopted and the performance of the Enterprises solutions
- Recommend 2 strategies that would add value to the company as a whole and/or its products/services.
