Working Capital Management: Dell’s Working Capital

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Case 1: Working Capital Management: Dell’s Working Capital (HBS: 9-201- 029).
Questions for advance preparation 1. How was Dell’s working capital policy a competitive advantage? 
 Dell adopted a special working capital policy, differing from other company. This could help them compete against the rivals. With this policy, Dell always had a low inventory so that it could quickly react to the new technology. When new technology came in, Dell did not need to dismantle its old PCs and could install the new staff into their new products. Industry rivals’ strategy: * Assembled to forecast, retaining a substantial finished good inventory versus Dell’s main strategy: * selling straight to consumers and a manufacturing cycle that started after a buyer’s order, named as the “build-to-order” model. * a personalized purchase within a small amount of time * small finished goods inventory balances In particular, a small inventory balance means: * less expensive to shift promptly to the latest technology * providing the latest systems at the same price as competitors’ out-dated ones * no excess stock doesn’t take up room and absorb capital 2. How did Dell fund its 52% growth in 1996? 
 Dell funded its 52% growth in 1996 by internal resources in 1995 * Total Asset/Sales= 1594/3475=46% * short term investment/sales=484/3475=14% * operating asset: total asset less short term investment * Therefore: operating asset/sales=32% Since in 1996 the sales increased by 52% to 5296 million, how much operating asset is needed to be increased for this sales? 32%*(5296-3475)=582.72 million However in 1996, the actual operating asset/sales = 1557/5296=29.4% which is lower than 32% therefore Dell saved (32%-29.4%)*5296=137.7million Therefore the funding they need is 582.72-137.7=445 million

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