The two retail companies picked are Walmart and Costco whose 2017 Financial statement links are provided below: WALMART https://www.nasdaq.com/symbol/ wmt/financials?query=income- statement COSTCO https://www.nasdaq.com/symbol/ cost/financials?query=income- statement Both organizations are well known brands and position themselves well with their customer base. Walmart’s value proposition is “We save people money so they can live better”. On the other hand, Costco’s value proposition is “All-in-one convenience and everyday affordability”. Both retailers focus on cost saving for their customers. Looking at their financial statements and by analyzing them a few key areas are evident when comparing the two organization. Looking at the current ratio and quick ratio we can determine the short-term solvency of each organization. The current ratio can be determined by dividing the assets by the liabilities. Walmart’s current ratio sits at 0.86 while Costco’s sits at 0.99. The quick ratio is c
I chose Dell Incorporated for several reasons. Dell was founded by Michael Dell at around the same time that I had developed a strong interest in computers. I have watched the company grow and survive the ebb and flow of the computer industry. Dell Inc. has a multinational presence with sales worldwide but it is based here in Round Rock, Texas, where I work.
Dell is a privately held company with Michael Dell as its Chairman. His personal stake in Dell is estimated at approximately 30 billion dollars. It’s difficult to estimate his stake in the company because several mergers have created large amounts of debt. There are investment groups mixed in with varying amounts of financial interest but with such a significant amount of debt, 57 billion by some estimates, it’s hard to speculate as to who and how much they own.
Dell, when it was still in its infancy, began an aggressive recycling effort which included taking in old computers or returned computers and either selling them for scrap or selling them to 3rd party resellers who would combine parts to build working used systems. This practice continues to this day and has become a lucrative trade for several companies here in Austin, Texas.
Dell has a very strong presence in the health industries and took that effort to heart when Michael and his wife, through their charity, donated 30 million dollars to the creation of Dell Childrens Medical Center. As a foster parent to 37 medically-fragile infants, in the past 10 years, my wife and I have spent many days at “Dell Childrens” seeking and seeing medical attention for our “broken babies”. The facility is top notch and expands continually to this day.
The Michael and Susan Dell Foundation(MSDF) has multiple efforts underway including degree programs for people in South Africa and financial efforts in India.
The MSDF also recently pledged 36 million dollars to relief in Houston, Texas after recent hurricane, Harvey, flooded and devastated that area.
To answer that question, you should look back to 1984 and try to remember all of the computer companies that were around back then. Almost none of them exist, today, and as a result, you have none of the original CEO’s around from those days, either. To have a company lead by the same leader at the beginning and still around today is a fascinating point, in and of itself. To be fair, there was a time when Michael Dell was not the CEO but as the company suffered an accounting scandal, Michael took the reins and announced his return and his influence is as strong as ever. Locally, he is a hero for how he has kept his company strong. Dell employs over 13,000 people locally and over 100,000 worldwide. To see the same person, still in charge, 30 years later, speaks volumes to their credibility. With that credibility, people also have witnessed the Dell family donate 10’s of millions of dollars to the creation of two local hospitals. They have donated to entities that benefit the local citizens, directly. People don’t forget that. The 13,000 employees, many of whom are long-term employees, have made their own fortunes by trusting their employer with their investments, their retirements and their careers. When Michael Dell sends out an email to all the Dell staff, you do get an email that is heartfelt and only asks what is needed. It’s not corporate fluff. People trust Michael Dell and many employees at Dell do volunteer portions of their paychecks to help fund the charitable causes at hand. The benefit is circular. People trust their leader. They feel trust and inspiration in investing in what he is doing and they see benefits at home and it encourages further contributions.
As a result, Dell is a highly trusted company in the Austin/Round Rock, Texas area.
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