Dell's organizational fortitude requires a vigilant, agile, and fluid approach to change. Historically, management teams throughout this successful organization have accurately identified those change initiatives that ultimately brought about competitive advantage. Identifying goals, goal specifications, metrics for accomplishing the goal, and metrics specifications propels organizations towards their strategic objectives. The critical challenges Dell's leadership faces today Global Contingent Workforce Management Services require innovative thinking and integration to create an agile infrastructure. Such a process can also help organizations more proactively sense and react to the volatile changes in their competitive environments.
To manage effectively across the computer industry, acute awareness regarding the interdependency of departments, partnerships, culture, and subcultures is critical. Amplified global competition, rapidly developing advancements in technology, and the fluctuations of customer demand have produced shorter product life cycles, thus creating the need for faster product development. "One can easily relate to the rapid obsolescence of products in many industries, notably the computer and electronics industries." (Kessler, E., 1996). Dell, Inc., as a result of escalating technological advancements, has increased the number of potentially lucrative product niches while creating more diverse product lines.
Competition and substitute availability are significant factors in the race to capture and maintain competitive advantage. "Moderate competitive pressures simultaneously provide sufficient motivation, ample resources, and the opportunity for a firm's fast innovation to undercut the market positions of competitors." (Kessler, 1996)
"Today global markets and global sources are more accessible for many reasons: better technology (such as Internet communications), cheaper transportation, and reduction of legal-entry barriers to most international markets." (Anderson, 2000) Dell's strategic development of its direct marketing agenda has resulted in phenomenal growth. Based on many defining financial ratios like, gross profit, net revenue, ROI, ROE, etc. it is apparent that Dell is financially superior and a leader within its industry. As competition has expanded and the computer industry overall has struggled to survive, this company has remained profitable. The trends are clearly indicative of a strong economic system, which are supported further by a comparison of industry averages. Additionally, Dell not only stands on a firm financial foundation, they continue to support superior customer service and a pre-eminence with their internal employees. Dell's implementation of leadership training throughout all managerial levels will assist in the support of the staggering financial growth and help eliminate the potential erosion of the infrastructure in the future.
Dell has set the standard concerning diversity. Michael Dell's leadership in the company's commitment to diversity proves that it is both the right thing to do and a key business performance strategy. Dell recently stated that, "To compete, the company must attract and retain talented men and woman who represent a range of background. Further, Dell realizes that its diverse workforce fosters innovation, creativity, and new solutions that help the bottom line." (Fry, 2003) Dell goes well beyond a diversified employee-base, it is also "committed to a diverse supplier base that includes small businesses and minority-women - and veteran - owned businesses.
High performing organizations, such as Global Contingent Workforce Management Services Dell are alert to the acceleration in the continuing global rate of change, developing trends, and economies. Dell instinctively recognizes the changes and acts on it to achieve competitive advantage. Dell is expeditious in its decision-making and execution of goal-directed change that is in alignment with its organizational goals and objectives. "In today's fast-changing business environment, responsiveness - quickness, agility, the ability to adapt to changing demands - is more vital than ever to a firm's survival." (Bateman-Snell, 2003) Enhancing Dell's competitive advantage and strategy is a result of strategic management, technological innovation and express decision-making.