Did you ever wonder how such a successful company as Dell Computers, with an entrenched strategic advantage, lost so badly to Apple?  I’m about to give you an inside scoop.  I worked for Dell from 2003-2007.  This is my story from the inside.

I walked up to the front entrance of Dell Computers in Nashville, Tennessee.  As I entered, I was ushered over to a side room in the lobby to sign some forms, and meet up with a small group of bright, young faces.  After signing our forms, we walked to a security check point at the edge of the lobby to have our pictures taken and security badges created.  Past the security check point, the lobby opened to a large dividing area that separates the two massive wings of the sales complex. 

We took a left, and the scene opened up into a room of wall-to-wall rows of desks, computers, phones, and sales agents as far as the eye could see.  My eyes lit up.  My heart began to beat a bit quicker.  I knew I could be great at this, and I wanted the chance to prove it.  It was orientation day, and I was about to be unleashed on the public.