In this assignment, we will focus on comparing chapters 2 and 5 excerpts from JA Krames' book, What the Best CEOs Know: 7 Outstanding Leaders and their lessons for Transforming any business (2003). We are introduced to two great CEOs of information technology; Michael Dell, founder and CEO of Dell Computers and Andy Grove, co-founder and former CEO of Intel. Dell is known for personal computers and Intel is famous for its microprocessors that go into computers and storage devices. Success began at a young age for Michael Dell, he was only 12 years old when his first product catalog called "Dell's Stamps" advertised in the local trade magazine. He learned early in life to develop a direct relationship with the customer which later would be the key to his success (Krames, p. 58). Andy Grove had collaborated with Bob Noyce and Gordon Moore in 1968 after discovering that they could create chips with enormous memory. Grove used a metaphor to describe the basis of his success : a three-legged stool; execution and strategy (Krames, p. 137). When one leg is knocked off, the whole system goes haywire , which led to the creation of Dell Computers Corporation. At the age of 27, Dell was the top CEO of a Fortune 500 company. He had clear ideas about how to conduct business. Both CEOs managed to avoid the their companies suffered serious setbacks. However, according to Krames, each company received its own strategic inflection points and applied different strategies to gain its competitive advantage. Both men encountered resistance in presenting and promoting their ideas. Dell faced resistance from its management teams. Executives forced them...... middle of paper......customers can customize their computers and order online eliminating middlemen and inventory. The life story of these men is a source of inspiration for a new entrepreneur or innovator to use as an example of effectiveness in business. These two CEOs would make a good team if they joined forces. Every business needs to find their niche and the business model that works for them. The key to both CEOs' success was listening to the customer. Krames also said it's important to remember the "none" customer, too. It took strong dedication and devotion on the part of these two men to maintain focus on their company's mission and vision. Both chapters illustrated the healthy fear that a company must face and satisfy the market (Krames, 2003). Works CitedKrames, JA. (2003). The Best CEOs Know This: 7 Exceptional Leaders and Their Lessons to Transform Any Business