Dell: A Brand in Flux?

For years, Dell has enjoyed one of the strongest brands on the market. Lately, however, the giant computer manufacturer here was some real heat in a number of blogs and websites, consumer affair. Browse In fact, a quick websites like My3cents.com, Ripoffreport.com, ConsumerAffairs.com BuzzMachine.com and will be satisfied by several negative posts and comments left by Dell customers. Not exactly what you expect from a company with such a good reputation.

Dell executives sayThey control online complaints and take action to correct these problems. Above all, they have added more customer service centers and employees in an effort to improve the resolution of customer complaints. These measures seem to pay off. In a recent article, cited Investor's Business Daily, Dell's internal figures showing a 35% years versus the previous year, improving customer satisfaction and a 30% improvement in their ability to solve problems, for the first time.

GivenSurveys that Dell around 24,000 private customers in the month, these numbers are remarkable. But I wonder whether some of the steps that Dell is currently perhaps come back to bite their brand over the long term.

Great out of the blocks

I recently purchased a Dell computer online, and I must say the experience was excellent. In fact, Dell executed properly.

I was just on the market for a new PC and saw a great price in one of advertising from DellCirculars. I went to their website and easy to find in the advertisement. (I added a few extras nothing like a little extra horsepower to jazz a new PC!) For Laid and sat down to wait for delivery. Then Dell sent me some tracking e-mails I receive has to keep on the status of my order knowledge.

The computer came a few days ago promised - a nice surprise. I threw him out of the box and set it in a matter of minutes. Everything went well and I started my own installationSoftware. During the installation, but I hit a snag, and my computer locked up. I called Dell, and in a few minutes she helped me solve the problem.

I'm sure my experience is repeated thousands of times a day around the globe. Finally, this is where Dell seem really is. The acquisition and setup experience in a shorter time at lower cost and with less effort than any other personal computer company. That's what Dell value proposition and brandPromises are all about - providing a cost-effective, tailor-made PC to your home with minimal effort on your part.

Not So Great Down the Stretch

Although Dell PC procurement and installation experience has mastered, they are struggling and offer the service after the sale. And that's where the Dell brand is taking place a hit.

Dell built its reputation by providing high quality PCs at a very low price - a classic application of the lowest total cost valueRecord. What does Dell is not a real customer intimate solutions or the best overall solution. If a complicated problem arises several months after the purchase of computers to solve your problem experience with Dell is likely to vary considerably (and far less satisfying) as the first acquisition of experience.

Until now, Dell has received with this approach, because their traditional customers, as experienced users of technology, do not expect much service after the rulethe sale. However, Dell is expanding customer base, and to be where many of the problems seems to be coming from.

As Dell has achieved dominant market share, and took in more new customers, a growing number of them are first-time buyer or PC novices who require a high degree of hand-holding after the sale. If you read the articles on the customer affairs Web sites and blogs to be able to react fast to the idea that most complaints come from technology novices. Plus, as theabsolute numbers of customers continue to increase the number of errors on the part of Dell's commitment to raise with them.

A shift in strategy

Dell does not have as low-cost provider, have the profit margins, extensive customer support. But that's about to change.

Dell recently announced a spate of paid customer support options ranging from consumer services for the comprehensive in-home services offered by Best Buy, the Geek Squad to reflectto coordinate comprehensive services for businesses. The business services run the gamut from simple system set-ups to complex implementations, rollouts, that at several locations and customers meet tight deadlines. Looking ahead, it's only a matter of time before Dell offers comprehensive IT outsourcing that similar service offerings from HP and IBM mirror.

Why this change in strategy? One is Dell trying to protect his mark by clearing with a growing number of customer complaints. Two,and more important, they hope to revenue by increasing customer service from a cost center into a profit center. For me, the most interesting aspect of all this, what it could do for the Dell brand.

Currently, Dell dominated the best overall value proposition in the market for personal computers. But one day, their first line sales growth will stall if they do not do more - hence their businesses in the provision of value-added services after the sale. My bet is that Dell successfullynavigate this shift and the additional services the customers will want to pay for them. However, by these services and services to a company can be confusing to customers. Ultimately, they might confuse their brand.

Dell is a best total cost or overall best company? Can they also implement value proposition without confusing customers and / or diluting the brand? Remain entrenched for now, but in the best total cost of camp. But if their intentionsmigrate - but slowly and cautiously - to an overall best strategy, she should for a very interesting trip. More importantly, should teach us all some valuable lessons about the challenges in maintaining a # 1 brand in a rapidly changing environment.

Stock Valuation Model - 3 Simple Techniques to Value Stock

Stock valuation models are methods that have to value. Everyone knows the stock but only few understand how much it pays, and the other investors do not even care. If you are an intelligent investor, consider these valuation models in your next purchase.
Discounted cash flow (DCF)
This is probably the most common model that you ever heard when it comes to stock valuation. However, I found it a little hard to do. Quite simply, because theDiscounted cash flow model, revenue growth and escalating costs at the same time consider that can be difficult to estimate and forecast than one external investor.
However, this method can be used in the assessment by the projection of future cash flows of revenues and costs and discount back to present value Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC).
Dividend Discount Model (DD)
This model is best for income investors. The idea is to project futureBased on the average historical dividend payout ratio and discount it back to present value. Although this is the easiest of all, it works best for high dividend yield stocks.
However, the stocks must have very strong business development services, the dividend payments are guaranteed 10 years on the road. And usually, penny stocks can not be evaluated in this way.
Earnings Growth Model (EC)
This is my preferred method because it is very practicaland easy to do. Originally project I their future income with constant or variable growth rate. Is either constant or variable growth rate depends on the expectation of business development in this period. As often, I normally use the historical business development as a basis, provided that the fundamental value is preserved. Then, I discount the future earnings with the expected return on investment (ROI).
I have this model as a very valuable, since the stockPrice is slightly reflected by the gain, such as PER.
So before buying more shares in the future to put some effort value of the stock. You may risk losing too much money if you buy the stock at much lower price than their intrinsic value. Find out how to have value in http://www.Stock-Investment-Made-Easy.com/calculate-intrinsic-value.html

The Business Model of Think Tanks and Rapid Prototyping

Large companies often have research and development departments, where they define new strategies and prototypes that can sell their company in the market for consumers. This is how they come up with new services and products in order to appease their customers and clients. Without innovation, a large company may be too cumbersome, slow and have to compete with non-competitive.

Although customers and clients say they want change, the reality is that people do not want too muchchange, but they want to add new features, designs, and occasional changes. Of course, if a company has become too large, and often they can not do more to research and development in-house and feel outsource.

In this case, to competent and trusted suppliers to do to find the discrete manufacturing, and design companies that are willing to put a lid on the things that they keep working. Sometimes large companies will outsource, think tanks, which are able to doRapid Prototyping and discrete manufacturing.

But one must ask whether this is a good business model? Outsourcing companies are really in their R & D departments interested in? It turns out that they are many government bodies, and also looking to do so. Many companies in industry research and military-industrial complex, like the idea, prototyping and project management teams outside of their company.

If a think tank or outsourced innovation team to be sworn in toConfidentiality, and take the services at a much lower cost then it makes sense for the company to go further. The reality is that a company which is based on this research to achieve a good profit, and save the company millions of dollars. They earn their money with their clients save money, and therefore makes it a very good business model. Remember that all of this, and remember.

Best Energy Stocks - Oil & Gas Calls For 2008

The investments in oil and gas producers in 2008 remain optimistic, as record oil prices headline the news almost every day ... and analysts still see a lot more to come. As Goldman Sachs, a two-year ahead of $ 200 in the commodity markets, people have had renewed confidence in my ups, dealing with its oil and natural gas, cleaner alternative.

There were many have doubts that you need to be made aware of. With the recent dramatic on the top boltCommodities, many investors say that prices are artificially inflated. While this may not hold true, it means they will not continue to artificially inflate ... They make money on the road. Despite the fact that all these companies look expensive as hell, I think the trend will continue ... and it is always better to get on the action than sit on the sideline, sucking your thumb. ;)

The Net Fool's Stock Performance

Back in January, I advised my fourEnergy superstars, all you would need to double-digit gains today will be executed. Transocean (NYSE: RIG) is up 15.20% since my call at $ 140.10, and I'm still bullish on their strong oil drilling functions according to their fantastic first quarter results at 07 May I am maintaining a "buy" on the exchange. If you bought in Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB), you would be sitting on a nice 10.42% gain on my original pitch for $ 96.57. Schlumberger is the largest oil-service companies in the world, so if youhow the security of a large company ... you'll love SNL, who still has a lot on the head. My best recommendation in the sector with Halliburton (NYSE: HAL), which would have given you purchase a 31.70% return since I was at $ 37.26. I think it is time to take profits from the table on Halliburton move to an alternative energy stocks. The head is still there, but I think the money would be better somewhere else. Finally, XTO Energy (NYSE: XTO) absolutely tore it from my pitch at $ 53.88,for a 25.95% rise in profit. XTO is an oil & gas exploration company that I maintain a "buy" rating on still move very optimistic with plenty of space itself.

Where To Go Now

The energy sector as a whole has grown away from the charts in recent months. But I do not want the company, the staple food of energy are, cell phone, and Chevron Exxon ... at hand! I'm talking about the guys that oil and gas drilling jump, spin-offs forProfits. Now you have heard from the drill ... I would like to benefit you in these hybrid oil / gas companies like XTO Energy in both markets and diversify risks. I personally am much more optimistic on gas than oil. I believe that the gas is much more valuable as an energy source, however, largely undiscovered in comparison to oil, which has through the media, and not see the same value appreciation that it deserves. So here are some cream of the crop hybrids with a favorable natural tendency to beGas!

Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE: CHK):

Chesapeake is the number one independent producer of natural gas, but it's still a lot of volatility cross hedged risk factor. It is undercutting the number one with 254 drill rigs and has the market over and over again with his superior hedging strategies. Then you can focus on the fact that they increased the production by a higher percentage than any other large-cap competitors. Lot's of concern for the stock is on Chesapeake voices, but theyPast have carried out the expectations time and time again, so you can sleep soundly with the fact that they have made a stronger leadership than any other competitor in my opinion. There are some very large reserves, the CHK is actively pursuing, and I think the best is yet to come.

Anadarko Petroleum Corp. (NYSE: APC):

Now, she smothered earnings consensus of $ 1.22/share to $ 1.55/share ... can not say you could not expect such great news from a large company that is growing faster than theIndustry for quite a while. This trade has not yet happened, and after an upgrade by Lehman Brothers on 16 May, it is clear that investors still see upside potential. Following the result, it feels like sunny skies throughout the year for Anadarko ... a company with only a P / E of 15.5, compared to a ratio of 23 industries. APC has proven to investors that it may be best in a fast-growing industry ... and I still buy too.

Helix Energy Solutions Group (NYSE: HLX):

Helix has a lot of oil & gasProduction in the Gulf of Mexico, and I think they fly under the radar, largely in the energy sector due to its low market capitalization. Their new Danny Noonan fields should really benefit outcome for the year 2009, and could even act as a catalyst in 2008. But even more important as new exploration activity has helix a hit that I undeservedly took me, especially because, as their oil-body is bound by its exploration unit. For this reason, Helix has one of the most attractiveRatings in the industry. Although they may not have the profit margins and sat down against the competition, is an HLX Silent Assassin with a low P / E of 11 and a chip on his shoulder.

Apache Corp. (NYSE: APA):

High operating costs and expenses were largely dominated by high revenues from oil and gas prices and offset the production volume increased from the first quarter. Apache is one of the best-run companies in the industry, and I see it outperformed the industry in the long run ...despite the fact that there are at the border target prices. Apache has benefited, like all the other five major discoveries, and I feel that APA fully its reserves in North America explot can beat in a down-to-income market in 2008.

The average growth rates for natural gas drilling is 15%, so it is really very difficult to find a loser in this environment. I see the following companies outperformed the industry in 2008: Chesapeake (CHK), XTO Energy (XTO), Anadarko (APC), Helix (HLX)Transocean (RIG), Schlumberger (SLB). I undertake evaluation of these energy-share market as a basis for evaluation: Apache (APA), Halliburton (HAL), Noble (NE), Devon Energy (DVN), Southwestern Energy (SWN).

One thing is sure, the oil and gas researchers outperform nearly every corner of the market. These stocks are about to surpass in 2008. My investment strategy would be to wait for a $ 5 - $ 10 pullback in oil prices before pulling the trigger on one of these companies,mainly because I feel that in the run was a little too fast.