Dell

Certainly, a lot of opportunity for growth. I can't speak for the hardware side, but on the software side, we were definitely driving for quality products and high customer satisfaction.

I don't know that it's a fixable problem, but Dell's size is its greatest challenge. It's also tied so closely to Windows that other areas, especially mobile opportunities, seem to get sidelined while the rest of the industry races to transition away from desktop/laptop to mobile/cloud. Certainly, with the EMC acquisition, there will be new opportunities in the mobile (and certainly cloud) space, but I hope Dell's past doesn't limit its future. And while I was there, it really seemed to be the reality.

Focus more effort on software and services, server and hybrid cloud hardware, and less on desktop/laptop hardware. Embrace operating systems other than Windows, especially for internal use of web services and email. These currently only work well on Windows, but mobile, Mac, and Linux users all feel like outsiders who are never supported well.

Also, please stop shoving such a strong left-wing social agenda. With 150,000 employees, there will be political and spiritual beliefs of all types. There's a very strong pro-LGBT message throughout HR and company event material. I'm not saying the company should be anti-LGBT; it just should act a little more like a professional organization and less like a political activist group.