---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I admit that the direct model has done a…"
description: "\"I admit that the direct model has done a lot for Dell. That's the only thing the company has ever really accomplished.\" — Eckhard Pfeiffer"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/871/eckhard-pfeiffer-35355_accomplished_i-admit-that-the-direct-model-has-done-a_2770026.png"
---

#  I admit that the direct model has done a lot for Dell…

![“I admit that the direct model has done a lot for Dell. That's the only thing the company has ever really accomplished.” quote by Eckhard Pfeiffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/871/eckhard-pfeiffer-35355_accomplished_i-admit-that-the-direct-model-has-done-a_2770026.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/871/eckhard-pfeiffer-35355_accomplished_i-admit-that-the-direct-model-has-done-a_2770026.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/871/eckhard-pfeiffer-35355_accomplished_i-admit-that-the-direct-model-has-done-a_2770026.png)

> “I admit that the direct model has done a lot for Dell. That's the only thing the company has ever really accomplished.”

[Eckhard Pfeiffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhard-pfeiffer/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker credits the direct model for Dell's primary success, implying limited other achievements.

**In simple terms:** Direct model drove Dell's success; other successes scarce.

Key Takeaway

Focus on core strengths.

Themes

business strategy technology leadership

Mood

pragmatic analytical

Type

business leadership

When to use this quote

- product development
- market positioning
- strategic planning

Key Concepts

competitive advantage innovation

Questions to Reflect On

- What other strengths could Dell develop?
- How to diversify success sources?

A Different Perspective

May overlook other contributions or future opportunities.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Accomplished](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accomplished/) [Admit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/admit/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Company](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/company/) [Company Really](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/company-really-1149474/) [Dell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dell/) [Dell Thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dell-thing-3235586/) [Direct](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/direct/) [Direct Model](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/direct-model-3235585/) [Done](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/done/) [Ever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ever/) [Lot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lot/) [Model](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/model/) [Only](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/only/) [Really](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/really/) [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) [The only thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/the-only-thing/) [Thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thing/)

## Related quotes

> [The Fresh Direct model doesn't work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-catsimatidis/the-fresh-direct-model-doesn-t-work/)

[John Catsimatidis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-catsimatidis/)

> [For a long time I thought I should be a civil engineer. That seemed to be the only thing worth doing, and I chose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-hislop/for-a-long-time-i-thought-i-should-be-a-civil-engineer-that-seemed-to/)

[Ian Hislop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-hislop/)

> [We have good security. It's hard to get in here. Barring a tactical entry where terrorists come in and hold us hostage, that's about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-scott/we-have-good-security-it-s-hard-to-get-in-here-barring-a-tactical/)

[Luke Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-scott/)

> [I really did enjoy my time at Apple - it's a great company, and I really loved building Apple Music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bozoma-saint-john/i-really-did-enjoy-my-time-at-apple-it-s-a-great-company-and-i-really/)

[Bozoma Saint John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bozoma-saint-john/)

> [TNT is a really great company to do a show for. They really believe in their shows and give shows a lot of support.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-hutton/tnt-is-a-really-great-company-to-do-a-show-for-they-really-believe-in/)

[Timothy Hutton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-hutton/)

> [If you started as a brick-and-mortar company, that's really who you are. And if you started as a digital company, that's really who you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-g-rubin/if-you-started-as-a-brick-and-mortar-company-that-s-really-who-you/)

[Michael G. Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-g-rubin/)

> [Connecting everyone is going to be something that no single company can do by themselves. So I'm really glad that they and a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-zuckerberg/connecting-everyone-is-going-to-be-something-that-no-single-company/)

[Mark Zuckerberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-zuckerberg/)

> [I learnt earlier on that If you can run one company.You can really run any company.A company is all about finding the right people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/i-learnt-earlier-on-that-if-you-can-run-one-company-you-can-really/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [MPC, Moving Picture Company, they're really excellent, they did the majority of the effects.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ridley-scott/mpc-moving-picture-company-they-re-really-excellent-they-did-the/)

[Ridley Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ridley-scott/)

> [It was clear from very early on that I would work in the family company. There was not really ever another option or idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-arnault/it-was-clear-from-very-early-on-that-i-would-work-in-the-family/)

[Antoine Arnault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-arnault/)

> [Every phase of building a company is really hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tobias-lutke/every-phase-of-building-a-company-is-really-hard/)

[Tobias Lutke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tobias-lutke/)

> [I think you should invest in a company that you really enjoy working with and being with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donovan-mitchell/i-think-you-should-invest-in-a-company-that-you-really-enjoy-working/)

[Donovan Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donovan-mitchell/)

> [Epic was the first company to really believe in me, to work to help me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-paycheck/epic-was-the-first-company-to-really-believe-in-me-to-work-to-help-me/)

[Johnny Paycheck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-paycheck/)

> [What do you really believe makes a difference in the company? For me it's really clear. It's about customers and employees. Everything else follows.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-m-mulcahy/what-do-you-really-believe-makes-a-difference-in-the-company-for-me/)

[Anne M. Mulcahy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-m-mulcahy/)

> [I passionately believe that you should start a company that you really believe in. Don't start something that you have no interest in, start…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-jones/i-passionately-believe-that-you-should-start-a-company-that-you/)

[Peter Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-jones/)

## More by Eckhard Pfeiffer

> [Retire? I will never retire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhard-pfeiffer/retire-i-will-never-retire/)

[Eckhard Pfeiffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhard-pfeiffer/)

> [No one has ever been able to stop the process and evolution of technology, not even I.B.M. That is going to continue. Those who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhard-pfeiffer/no-one-has-ever-been-able-to-stop-the-process-and-evolution-of/)

[Eckhard Pfeiffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhard-pfeiffer/)

> [We've seen the power of the PC, and we've seen that it's unstoppable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhard-pfeiffer/we-ve-seen-the-power-of-the-pc-and-we-ve-seen-that-it-s-unstoppable/)

[Eckhard Pfeiffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhard-pfeiffer/)

> [I turned Compaq from a small company with troubles into a computer powerhouse. We can do the same at Intershop.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhard-pfeiffer/i-turned-compaq-from-a-small-company-with-troubles-into-a-computer/)

[Eckhard Pfeiffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhard-pfeiffer/)

> [Today is either the beginning of the end, or the end of the beginning. Today we are making history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhard-pfeiffer/today-is-either-the-beginning-of-the-end-or-the-end-of-the-beginning/)

[Eckhard Pfeiffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhard-pfeiffer/)

> [I see Intershop as a leader in the E-commerce digital economy and believe the company has truly long-term potential.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhard-pfeiffer/i-see-intershop-as-a-leader-in-the-e-commerce-digital-economy-and/)

[Eckhard Pfeiffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhard-pfeiffer/)

> [I am a very thorough person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhard-pfeiffer/i-am-a-very-thorough-person/)

[Eckhard Pfeiffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhard-pfeiffer/)

> [I think the PC will continue to be around for a long, long time to come. We see a new range of products evolving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhard-pfeiffer/i-think-the-pc-will-continue-to-be-around-for-a-long-long-time-to/)

[Eckhard Pfeiffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhard-pfeiffer/)

> [Sometimes it's more difficult to achieve a 10% cost reduction than it is to tell people they have to achieve 50%. Small incremental steps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhard-pfeiffer/sometimes-it-s-more-difficult-to-achieve-a-10-cost-reduction-than-it/)

[Eckhard Pfeiffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhard-pfeiffer/)

> [The goal, as Compaq has stated all along in its history, is to support an open industry standard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhard-pfeiffer/the-goal-as-compaq-has-stated-all-along-in-its-history-is-to-support/)

[Eckhard Pfeiffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhard-pfeiffer/)

> [We are reinventing ourselves as a company. Compaq is taking ownership of its customer relationships and accountability of our customer's needs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhard-pfeiffer/we-are-reinventing-ourselves-as-a-company-compaq-is-taking-ownership/)

[Eckhard Pfeiffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhard-pfeiffer/)

> [I like the challenge of growing small companies into big global companies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhard-pfeiffer/i-like-the-challenge-of-growing-small-companies-into-big-global/)

[Eckhard Pfeiffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhard-pfeiffer/)

[Explore all 13 Eckhard Pfeiffer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhard-pfeiffer/)

## More Accomplished quotes

> [I never believed in trying to do anything. Whatever I set out to do I found I had already accomplished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/i-never-believed-in-trying-to-do-anything-whatever-i-set-out-to-do-i/)

[Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/)

> [This is, for an accomplished Latino, an accomplished African American, an accomplished anyone who disproves stereotypes, it's a constant battle in your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonia-sotomayor/this-is-for-an-accomplished-latino-an-accomplished-african-american/)

[Sonia Sotomayor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonia-sotomayor/)

> [When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-have-accomplished-your-goal-simply-walk-away-this-is-the/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [... even the most sublimely accomplished non-stop talker can't consistently please.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-salinger-2/even-the-most-sublimely-accomplished-non-stop-talker-can-t/)

[J. D. Salinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-salinger-2/)

> [ \[U\]nless oppressed groups stick together, and on alliances of self interest rather than do-goodism; nothing can be accomplished in the long run to dismantle… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shulamith-firestone/u-nless-oppressed-groups-stick-together-and-on-alliances-of-self/)

[Shulamith Firestone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shulamith-firestone/)

> [Alas, you don't need monsters for monstrous deeds to be accomplished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zygmunt-bauman/alas-you-don-t-need-monsters-for-monstrous-deeds-to-be-accomplished/)

[Zygmunt Bauman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zygmunt-bauman/)

> [Like all writers, he measured the achievements of others by what they had accomplished, asking of them that they measure him by what he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/like-all-writers-he-measured-the-achievements-of-others-by-what-they/)

[Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/)

> [I'm proud of what I've accomplished and that is empowering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/violet-chachki/i-m-proud-of-what-i-ve-accomplished-and-that-is-empowering/)

[Violet Chachki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/violet-chachki/)

> [We do not know today whether we are busy or idle. In times when we thought ourselves indolent, we have afterwards discovered that much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/we-do-not-know-today-whether-we-are-busy-or-idle-in-times-when-we/)

[Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/)

> [I don't know Beyoncé, but I have the impression that she's sincere, that she really is a feminist and wanted to put the word…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-steinem/i-don-t-know-beyonc-but-i-have-the-impression-that-she-s-sincere-that/)

[Gloria Steinem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-steinem/)

> [The gain in self-confidence of having accomplished a tiresome labour is immense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-bennett/the-gain-in-self-confidence-of-having-accomplished-a-tiresome-labour/)

[Arnold Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-bennett/)

> [With Epcot Center, the Disney corporation has accomplished something I didn't think possible in today's world. They have created a land of make-believe that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/with-epcot-center-the-disney-corporation-has-accomplished-something-i/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Listing the polar bear under the Endangered Species Act could harm bear conservation efforts by eliminating revenues from the carefully-regulated sport hunting of polar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-ridenour/listing-the-polar-bear-under-the-endangered-species-act-could-harm/)

[Amy Ridenour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-ridenour/)

> [“Great things can be accomplished, when it doesnt matter who gets the credit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/great-things-can-be-accomplished-when-it-doesnt-matter-who-gets-the/)

[Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/)

> [If I could inspire you for even a moment to be yourself and love yourself, and not let what anyone has to say hinder…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-neal-hartry/if-i-could-inspire-you-for-even-a-moment-to-be-yourself-and-love/)

[Joshua Neal Hartry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-neal-hartry/)

[Browse all 1,379 Accomplished quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accomplished/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I admit that the direct model has done a lot for Dell. That's the only thing the company has ever really accomplished.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Eckhard Pfeiffer"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhard-pfeiffer/i-admit-that-the-direct-model-has-done-a-lot-for-dell-that-s-the-only/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Accomplished"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhard-pfeiffer/i-admit-that-the-direct-model-has-done-a-lot-for-dell-that-s-the-only/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/871/eckhard-pfeiffer-35355_accomplished_i-admit-that-the-direct-model-has-done-a_2770026.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/871/eckhard-pfeiffer-35355_accomplished_i-admit-that-the-direct-model-has-done-a_2770026.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/871/eckhard-pfeiffer-35355_accomplished_i-admit-that-the-direct-model-has-done-a_2770026.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I admit that the direct model has done a lot for Dell. That's the only thing the company has ever really…” — Eckhard Pfeiffer",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Eckhard Pfeiffer",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhard-pfeiffer/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I admit that the direct model...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhard-pfeiffer/i-admit-that-the-direct-model-has-done-a-lot-for-dell-that-s-the-only/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhard-pfeiffer/i-admit-that-the-direct-model-has-done-a-lot-for-dell-that-s-the-only/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
