Michael Dell’s Michael Dell’s Two-Billion-Dollar DreamTwo-Billion-Dollar Dream

Background information Background information Pre-class workPre-class work Warming up exerciseWarming up exercise Useful words and expressionsUseful words and expressions Language pointsLanguage points

The name of Michael Dell must be The name of Michael Dell must be familiar to many young people, especially familiar to many young people, especially to those who are determined to go in for to those who are determined to go in for business. Born in 1965,this wizard boy is business. Born in 1965,this wizard boy is able to turn himself into a multibillion-able to turn himself into a multibillion-dollar tycoon in a matter of a few years. dollar tycoon in a matter of a few years. How does he do it? This text gives us a How does he do it? This text gives us a glimpse of the special qualities of this boy, glimpse of the special qualities of this boy, which have contributed to his dramatic which have contributed to his dramatic success.success.

Dell's success story begins with a brilliant Dell's success story begins with a brilliant

idea. This idea may seem like commonsense idea. This idea may seem like commonsense

today, but Dell is the first to hit upon that today, but Dell is the first to hit upon that

idea. This is the first secret of his success: to idea. This is the first secret of his success: to

be the first. Success usually belongs to the be the first. Success usually belongs to the

person who dares to be the first, to be person who dares to be the first, to be

creative and original, and Dell is always creative and original, and Dell is always

bursting with new ideas. Another thing is his bursting with new ideas. Another thing is his

ambition. Dell is highly motivated.ambition. Dell is highly motivated.

Even as a teenager, he already vows to Even as a teenager, he already vows to

compete with IBM. It is this goal that gives him compete with IBM. It is this goal that gives him

the strength and courage to strive so hard. the strength and courage to strive so hard.

Equally important is his tenacity. He works hard. Equally important is his tenacity. He works hard.

He never gives up. His success is the result of He never gives up. His success is the result of

his toil and sweat. The next point is perhaps his his toil and sweat. The next point is perhaps his

thirst for knowledge. It is time that Dell did not thirst for knowledge. It is time that Dell did not

finish school. But that does not mean that he finish school. But that does not mean that he

has had no education or that he can succeed has had no education or that he can succeed

without education.without education.

He actually studies harder and with a clearer He actually studies harder and with a clearer

focus. Therefore it would be wrong to conclude focus. Therefore it would be wrong to conclude

from Dell's story that school education is from Dell's story that school education is

irrelevant, although it does seem that serious irrelevant, although it does seem that serious

reform has to be carried out to allow a genius reform has to be carried out to allow a genius

to develop his special interests.to develop his special interests.

In going over this text, the teacher is In going over this text, the teacher is

advised to keep drawing the students, advised to keep drawing the students,

attention to these qualities which distinguish attention to these qualities which distinguish

Dell from the others, because these qualities Dell from the others, because these qualities

can apply to all academic pursuits. Ask can apply to all academic pursuits. Ask

students to compare themselves with Dell and students to compare themselves with Dell and

see if they think there is something they can see if they think there is something they can

learn from him. This can be interesting learn from him. This can be interesting

because our students also face tough because our students also face tough

decisions about their future career and the decisions about their future career and the

way to accomplish their goal.way to accomplish their goal.

1)1)to offerto offer(1)to hold or put to someone for (1)to hold or put to someone for accounted or refusalaccounted or refusalShe offered her guest a cup of She offered her guest a cup of coffee.coffee.He decided to work for that He decided to work for that company because they offered a company because they offered a much better salary.much better salary.

(2)to propose; to put forward (2)to propose; to put forward something for considerationsomething for considerationHe just told us to do this without He just told us to do this without offering any explanation.offering any explanation.Has the government offered any Has the government offered any comment yet about this event?comment yet about this event?

(3)to volunteer to do something(3)to volunteer to do somethingHe offered to teach me how to use the He offered to teach me how to use the computer.computer.She was kind enough to offer to speak She was kind enough to offer to speak to us on this issue.to us on this issue.

Offer n.Offer n.Make an offer if you are not happy Make an offer if you are not happy with the price.with the price.I didn't expect her to pay me a high I didn't expect her to pay me a high salary. But she made a very salary. But she made a very generous offer.generous offer.

2)to concern2)to concern(1)to relate to; to affect; to (1)to relate to; to affect; to

involveinvolveDon't go away-Our discussion Don't go away-Our discussion

concerns you, too-concerns you, too-The talk will concern our The talk will concern our

medical care reform.medical care reform.

(2)to worry or make someone feel anxious.(2)to worry or make someone feel anxious.You should not concern yourself with these You should not concern yourself with these little details.little details.Naturally we are d Naturally we are d concernedconcerned about what about what other people think of us. other people think of us. The government is deeply concerned about The government is deeply concerned about the unemployment problem.the unemployment problem.

Concern n.Concern n.(1) worry(1) worryOver-fishing is now becoming a Over-fishing is now becoming a matter of great concern in our matter of great concern in our coastal areas. The growing crime coastal areas. The growing crime rate is a big public concern.rate is a big public concern.

(2)responsibility; interest(2)responsibility; interestThis is none of our concern.This is none of our concern.The students’ physical The students’ physical

conditions should also be the school conditions should also be the school authorities, concern.authorities, concern.

(3)feelings for someone(3)feelings for someoneShe always shows great She always shows great

concern for others.concern for others.The way the building is The way the building is

designed shows clear concern for designed shows clear concern for elderly people.elderly people.

Concerning Concerning prepprep. : about. : aboutOpinions differ concerning the Opinions differ concerning the

cause of the event.cause of the event.

3)3)to developto develop

(1)to(cause to)grow, increase or become (1)to(cause to)grow, increase or become

more completemore complete

– We cannot develop our economy without We cannot develop our economy without

developing our education and culture. developing our education and culture.

– We are confident that China will develop into a We are confident that China will develop into a

strong prosperous and democratic country.strong prosperous and democratic country.

(2)to bring into being; to produce(2)to bring into being; to produce

– Our factory has developed quite a few new Our factory has developed quite a few new

products this year.products this year.

– He won the Nobel Prize for economics because He won the Nobel Prize for economics because

he developed a new theory about investment.he developed a new theory about investment.

(3)to convert land to a special (3)to convert land to a special

purposepurpose– The local government is trying to invite The local government is trying to invite

foreign capital to develop their land foreign capital to develop their land

resourcesresources..

4) to launch4) to launch

– (1)to start something (esp. of an official, public, (1)to start something (esp. of an official, public,

or military activity carefully planned)or military activity carefully planned)

– The enemy launched a fierce attack. But they The enemy launched a fierce attack. But they

met with our stubborn resistance.met with our stubborn resistance.

– This big project will be launched next year.This big project will be launched next year.

(2)to make a book or new product (2)to make a book or new product

available for sale for the first timeavailable for sale for the first time

– The company will launch another new model in The company will launch another new model in

the international market soon.the international market soon.

– The party was organized to launch his The party was organized to launch his

autobiography.autobiography.

(3)to put a boat into the water or (3)to put a boat into the water or

send something into spacesend something into space– It was a ceremony to launch the huge oil tanker It was a ceremony to launch the huge oil tanker

produced in our countryproduced in our country

– We successfully launched another scientific We successfully launched another scientific

satellite last week.satellite last week.

5)to drive5)to drive

(1)to operate a vehicle(1)to operate a vehicle

– When did you learn to drive?When did you learn to drive?

(2)to travel or take somebody somewhere in (2)to travel or take somebody somewhere in

a cara car

– Dad said that he would drive me to school.Dad said that he would drive me to school.

– It took us about 5hours to drive there.It took us about 5hours to drive there.

(3)to make someone feel or do (3)to make someone feel or do

somed1ing bad or unpleasantsomed1ing bad or unpleasant– They could do anything when they are driven They could do anything when they are driven

by despair.by despair.

– This endless noise drove me mad.This endless noise drove me mad.

(4) to force someone or (4) to force someone or

something to go somewheresomething to go somewhere– We finally succeeded in driving the foreign We finally succeeded in driving the foreign

aggressors out of our country.aggressors out of our country.

– Hitler drove millions of Jews into concentration Hitler drove millions of Jews into concentration

camps .camps .

– to drive at: really want to sayto drive at: really want to say

– What are you driving at? What are you driving at?

Drive n.Drive n.

– It is not very far away. Just a few minutes’ It is not very far away. Just a few minutes’

drive.(drive :a journey in a car) Young people drive.(drive :a journey in a car) Young people

are usually full of drive.(drive: great energy)are usually full of drive.(drive: great energy)

Questions to help comprehension Questions to help comprehension

and appreciationand appreciation 1) What do you how about Michael Dell? 1) What do you how about Michael Dell?

When and where was he born? What kind When and where was he born? What kind

of a family did he come from? Did he show of a family did he come from? Did he show

his special talent as a business wizard early his special talent as a business wizard early

in his in his life? How did he get such a life? How did he get such a

knack for making money?knack for making money?

2) Did Michael Dell distinguish himself 2) Did Michael Dell distinguish himself

academically at school? What kind of academically at school? What kind of

student was student was he? Would you describe he? Would you describe

him as a promising young scholar? Or him as a promising young scholar? Or

would you regard Mm as a would you regard Mm as a complete failure complete failure

as a student? In what way was he different as a student? In what way was he different

from other students?from other students?

3) What did Dell really want to do with his 3) What did Dell really want to do with his

life? The text tells us that his parents with life? The text tells us that his parents with

the desire to learn and the drive to work the desire to learn and the drive to work

hard imbued him. Would you say that the hard imbued him. Would you say that the

fact fact that he decided to quit school showed that he decided to quit school showed

that he had failed his parents? that he had failed his parents?

4) How did Dell come up with the idea of 4) How did Dell come up with the idea of

starting a computer company? What made starting a computer company? What made

his his company such a stunning success? company such a stunning success?

Was it sheer luck? Does Dell have my Was it sheer luck? Does Dell have my

qualities as a businessman that impress you qualities as a businessman that impress you

deeply?deeply?

5) What do you how about Michael Dell 5) What do you how about Michael Dell

private life? What does he do with the private life? What does he do with the

massive massive wealth he has accumulated? wealth he has accumulated?

What do you think of his story? Is there What do you think of his story? Is there

anything we can learn from him?anything we can learn from him?

1) 1) a amaze ofa amaze of

– a large number of things arranged in a a large number of things arranged in a complicated and confusing way complicated and confusing way 混乱的一堆混乱的一堆

– A maze of narrow alleys leads down to the sea. A maze of narrow alleys leads down to the sea. 迂回曲折的小径通往海边。迂回曲折的小径通往海边。

2)2)to be attached toto be attached to

– to be connected with; to like very much; to be to be connected with; to like very much; to be part of part of 附属于附属于 ,, 依恋依恋

– --A garage is attached to their house. A garage is attached to their house. 他们的房他们的房子有一个车库。子有一个车库。

3) 3) to join into join in

– to take part in an activity as one of a group of to take part in an activity as one of a group of people people 参加 参加 , , 加加入入

– 一 一 They ail joine4in singing the Christmas They ail joine4in singing the Christmas carols. carols. 他们一起唱圣诞颂歌。他们一起唱圣诞颂歌。

4) 4) to call it a dayto call it a day

– ( informl )to decide to stop working because ( informl )to decide to stop working because you have done enough or because you are tired you have done enough or because you are tired ( ( 认为一天 工作量已够或太累而〉收工 认为一天 工作量已够或太累而〉收工 , , 结结束当天的活动 束当天的活动 , , 结束结束

– --After forty years in politics he thinks it's time After forty years in politics he thinks it's time to call it a day. to call it a day. 他从政四十年 他从政四十年 , , 认为该结束认为该结束了。了。

5) 5) to anchor sth. Somewhere to anchor sth. Somewhere

– to fasten sth. to a certain place firmly so that it to fasten sth. to a certain place firmly so that it cannot move cannot move 固定固定 ,, 稳固稳固

– --He anchored the papers on the desk with a He anchored the papers on the desk with a paperweight. paperweight. 他用镇纸压住桌上的文件。他用镇纸压住桌上的文件。

6) 6) to plunge in/into to plunge in/into

– to push sth. firmly into sth. else to push sth. firmly into sth. else 投入 投入 , , 插人 插人 , , 刺进刺进

– 一 一 He plunged his hand into cold water. He plunged his hand into cold water. 他把他把手一下子伸进了冷水中。手一下子伸进了冷水中。

7) 7) to reel in sth.to reel in sth.

– to make sth. move in by winding a reel; to to make sth. move in by winding a reel; to bring, take, etc. by winding; to pull by winding bring, take, etc. by winding; to pull by winding a time on a reel a time on a reel 在卷轴等上缠绕在卷轴等上缠绕 ;; 用卷轴等用卷轴等拉拽拉拽

– --The boy began to reel in the line slowly when The boy began to reel in the line slowly when he wanted to stop flying the kite. he wanted to stop flying the kite. 当男孩不想当男孩不想再放风筝时再放风筝时 ,, 就开始慢慢地收线。就开始慢慢地收线。

8) 8) to be imbued withto be imbued with

– (fml (fml 〉 〉 to be filled with or inspired by certain to be filled with or inspired by certain feelings feelings 充满 充满 , , 鼓舞鼓舞

– --Politicians are usually imbued with a sense of Politicians are usually imbued with a sense of their own importance. their own importance. 政客们通常自以为举政客们通常自以为举足轻重。足轻重。

9) 9) to take apart to take apart

– to separate into pieces to separate into pieces 拆开拆开– --John enjoys taking old clocks apart- John enjoys taking old clocks apart- 约翰喜欢约翰喜欢

拆卸旧钟。拆卸旧钟。

10) 10) to buy or sell sth. at costto buy or sell sth. at cost

– to buy or sell sth. at the price paid for its to buy or sell sth. at the price paid for its production production 按成本价买卖按成本价买卖

– --Goods in this supermarket are sold at cost- Goods in this supermarket are sold at cost- 这这家超市的商品按成本价出售。家超市的商品按成本价出售。

11) 11) to take on the appearance ofto take on the appearance of

– to begin to have the appearance of to begin to have the appearance of 披上 披上 , , 呈呈现…面貌现…面貌

– The whole teaching building took on a new The whole teaching building took on a new appearance after the decoration. appearance after the decoration. 经过装饰整幢经过装饰整幢教学楼焕 然一新。教学楼焕 然一新。

12) 12) the opportunity of a lifetimethe opportunity of a lifetime

– a rare opportunity ;a golden opportunity a rare opportunity ;a golden opportunity 千载千载难逢的机会难逢的机会

– --We shouldn't let slip any opportunity of a We shouldn't let slip any opportunity of a lifetime. lifetime. 我们不应该坐失良机。我们不应该坐失良机。

13) 13) with a vengeance with a vengeance

– (informl ) even to a greater degree than is (informl ) even to a greater degree than is normal, expected, or desired normal, expected, or desired 变本加厉地变本加厉地

– --After a good rest the workers set to work with After a good rest the workers set to work with a vengeance. a vengeance. 经过彻底地休息 经过彻底地休息 , , 工人们加倍工人们加倍努力地干 起活来。努力地干 起活来。

14) 14) to scatter aroundto scatter around

– to throw in different directions; to put here and to throw in different directions; to put here and there there 撒撒 ;; 散布散布

– --We scattered plates of food around the room We scattered plates of food around the room before the party. before the party. 我们在聚会前把一盘盘食物我们在聚会前把一盘盘食物摆放在 屋中各处。摆放在 屋中各处。

15) 15) to come to grips withto come to grips with

– to understand and deal with a difficult problem to understand and deal with a difficult problem or situation or situation 开始勉力对付 开始勉力对付 , , 千方百计解决千方百计解决

– --She was unable to get to grips with her She was unable to get to grips with her miserable life. miserable life. 她无力应付她的悲惨生活。她无力应付她的悲惨生活。

16) 16) to stick fast to a belief or ideato stick fast to a belief or idea

– to continue to believe sth. although it is difficult to continue to believe sth. although it is difficult 坚持观点坚持观点、、信仰不放弃信仰不放弃

– That's my story and I'm sticking fast to it. That's my story and I'm sticking fast to it. 我说我说的就是这些 的就是这些 , , 句句实惰。句句实惰。

17) 17) to specialize into specialize in

– be or become a specialist in be or become a specialist in 专门研究 专门研究 , , 专攻专攻– --He specializes in oriental history. He specializes in oriental history. 他专门研究他专门研究

东方史。东方史。

18) 18) to keep pace (with)to keep pace (with)

– to move as fast as the increasing demand to move as fast as the increasing demand 与…与…齐步前进齐步前进 ,, 并驾齐驱并驾齐驱

– --It's important for a firm to keep pace with It's important for a firm to keep pace with changes in the market. changes in the market. 对一个公司来说 对一个公司来说 , , 能能跟上市场的 发展是很重要的。跟上市场的 发展是很重要的。

19) 19) worth ofworth of

– quantity of sth. of a specified value quantity of sth. of a specified value 值一定金值一定金额的数量 额的数量 , , 相当于特定单位的数量相当于特定单位的数量

– The thieves stole $1million worth of jewellery. The thieves stole $1million worth of jewellery. 窃贼偷走了价值 窃贼偷走了价值 100 100 万美元的珠宝。万美元的珠宝。

20) 20) to pan out to pan out

– to turn out, to succeed to turn out, to succeed 成功成功– --It depends how things pan out. It depends how things pan out. 那得看事情结那得看事情结果怎样了。果怎样了。

21) 21) to credit sth. to sb.to credit sth. to sb.

– to make sb. worthy of praise to make sb. worthy of praise 使某人值得赞扬使某人值得赞扬 ,,认为有 认为有 ( ( 某种优点或成就〉某种优点或成就〉

– --His improved performance does credit to his His improved performance does credit to his trainer. trainer. 他的表演有进步他的表演有进步 , , 应该归功于他的应该归功于他的教练。教练。

22) 22) deep downdeep down

– (infml)in reality ;in spite of appearances [(infml)in reality ;in spite of appearances [ 口口 ] ] 实际上实际上 ,, 在心底在心底

– --Deep down Bob knows there isn't any future in Deep down Bob knows there isn't any future in it. it. 在内心深处鲍伯知道这件事没有前途。在内心深处鲍伯知道这件事没有前途。

1)… 1)… painstakingly putting painstakingly putting together a trotline, a maze of together a trotline, a maze of

ropes to witch several fish hooks ropes to witch several fish hooks could be attached (Para 1)could be attached (Para 1)

– ...carefully and thoroughly putting together a ...carefully and thoroughly putting together a trotline,.trotline,.

2) But afterward Michael reeled 2) But afterward Michael reeled in the trotline, and on the hooks in the trotline, and on the hooks were more fish than the others were more fish than the others

had caught all together!(Para-3)had caught all together!(Para-3)

– to reel in the fishing line : to make the fishing to reel in the fishing line : to make the fishing line move on a reel by winding itline move on a reel by winding it

3) Like the time a saleswoman 3) Like the time a saleswoman came asking to speak to came asking to speak to

"Mr.Michael Dell” about his "Mr.Michael Dell” about his getting a high school equivalency getting a high school equivalency

diploma (Para 6)diploma (Para 6)

Obviously the 8-year-old boy had asked this Obviously the 8-year-old boy had asked this saleswoman about the possibility of buying a high saleswoman about the possibility of buying a high school equivalency diploma, not knowing of course school equivalency diploma, not knowing of course that the diploma is not for sale. Dell 's parents that the diploma is not for sale. Dell 's parents naturally were surprised; therefore he had to naturally were surprised; therefore he had to "explain" to them."explain" to them.

Notice that this little anecdote is not supposed to Notice that this little anecdote is not supposed to reflect Dell's dishonesty. It is meant to show that he reflect Dell's dishonesty. It is meant to show that he was unusual even as a little boy-He couldn’t wait to was unusual even as a little boy-He couldn’t wait to complete his education.complete his education.

4) Then he took it apart to figure 4) Then he took it apart to figure out how it worked.(Para 7)out how it worked.(Para 7)

Then he separated the computer into pieces Then he separated the computer into pieces to find out how it did its job.to find out how it did its job.

5) Newlyweds he figured, were 5) Newlyweds he figured, were the best prospect...(Para 8)the best prospect...(Para 8)

He guessed that newly married people were He guessed that newly married people were the most likely to buy the subscriptions.the most likely to buy the subscriptions.

Prospect :a person or plan or job that has a Prospect :a person or plan or job that has a good chance of success in the future good chance of success in the future 指望 指望 , , 有希望的事物 有希望的事物 ; (; (here)a potential client here)a potential client 可可成为用户的人 成为用户的人 , , 潜在的顾客或客户潜在的顾客或客户

6) 6) Dell knew that IBM required Dell knew that IBM required its dealers to take a monthly its dealers to take a monthly

quota of PCs .(Para 11)quota of PCs .(Para 11)

Dell knew that IBM required its dealers to Dell knew that IBM required its dealers to sell a certain fixed number of personal sell a certain fixed number of personal computers every monthcomputers every month

7) After one month he started 7) After one month he started selling computers again-with a selling computers again-with a

vengeance (Para 13)vengeance (Para 13)

After one month he started selling After one month he started selling computers again-even on a larger scale or computers again-even on a larger scale or with a greater effort.with a greater effort.

8) the quarters he shared with two 8) the quarters he shared with two roommate looked like a combat zone --roommate looked like a combat zone --

box piled high, computer boards and box piled high, computer boards and tools scattered around (Para 14 )tools scattered around (Para 14 )

box piled high, computer boards and tools box piled high, computer boards and tools scattered around :independent structures scattered around :independent structures used as adverbials of manner, the same as used as adverbials of manner, the same as preposition phrases introduced by preposition phrases introduced by "with"(with sth. done): with boxes piled "with"(with sth. done): with boxes piled high, and with computer boards and tools high, and with computer boards and tools scattered around.scattered around.

9) But no matter what they said, 9) But no matter what they said, Dell stuck fast.(Para 19)Dell stuck fast.(Para 19)

But no matter what they said, Dell stood But no matter what they said, Dell stood firm. He did not give up.firm. He did not give up.

10) Under a deadline, his pace 10) Under a deadline, his pace was frantic (Para 21)was frantic (Para 21)

He had to work extremely hard and fast He had to work extremely hard and fast because he had to meet a deadline.because he had to meet a deadline.

11) ...to handle finance and 11) ...to handle finance and administration.(Pm 21)administration.(Pm 21)

...to take care of the financial business and ...to take care of the financial business and all the other activities involved in managing all the other activities involved in managing the company- For a big company, it will the company- For a big company, it will usually appoint a treasurer or manager of usually appoint a treasurer or manager of the financial department to take care of the the financial department to take care of the former and another manager to b e in former and another manager to b e in charge of the latter charge of the latter

12) Dell still specialized in direct 12) Dell still specialized in direct marketing of stripped-down IBM marketing of stripped-down IBM

PCs to witch he added custom PCs to witch he added custom feature (Para 22)feature (Para 22)

Custom feature: characteristics or qualities Custom feature: characteristics or qualities designed for a particular customer.designed for a particular customer.

13) just when it seemed the sky 13) just when it seemed the sky was the limit (Pam24)was the limit (Pam24)

the sky is the limit: there is no limit to what the sky is the limit: there is no limit to what you can achieve you can achieve

14) money-back guarantees(Para 14) money-back guarantees(Para 25 )25 ) Guarantees given to customers that if they Guarantees given to customers that if they

are not satisfied with the product, they will are not satisfied with the product, they will get their money back, often no questions get their money back, often no questions asked.asked.

15) He also realized that when a 15) He also realized that when a computer is down, the customer computer is down, the customer wants it back up and working wants it back up and working

right away (Para25)right away (Para25) When a computer is down:(computer When a computer is down:(computer

language)when a computer is not working. language)when a computer is not working. The opposite is "when the computer is up".The opposite is "when the computer is up".

16) So Dell guaranteed next-day 16) So Dell guaranteed next-day on-site service for his products. on-site service for his products.

(Para 25)(Para 25)

So Dell promised to bring service to So Dell promised to bring service to wherever the customer is using their wherever the customer is using their product right the next day.product right the next day.

17) Recently the couple announced the 17) Recently the couple announced the donation of a parcel of land for a civic donation of a parcel of land for a civic center to Austin’s Jewish community. center to Austin’s Jewish community. (Para 29)(Para 29)

a parcel of land: a portion of land, usually a a parcel of land: a portion of land, usually a division of a larger areadivision of a larger area

18) there's too much of entitlement 18) there's too much of entitlement attitude nowadays (Para 30)attitude nowadays (Para 30) an entitlement attitude : an attitude showing an entitlement attitude : an attitude showing

that you think you are entitled to that you think you are entitled to everything, that is, you think you have the everything, that is, you think you have the legal right to receive sth.legal right to receive sth.