Nineteen years ago, Michael Dell started his business, building and selling computers from his University of Texas dorm room. Since, then, Michael has not only built a $40 billion company, which refined build-to-order manufacturing into a science and reshaped the competitive landscape for computer makers and solution providers, he also has grown from entrepreneur to seasoned CEO of a Fortune 500 corporation. What were the keys to Michael Dell's success? The article suggests a few: A clear and consistent business vision, a continuous effort to reduce costs, a willingness to change the company in response to customers' input, and a shift from order fulfiller to problem solver.