Dell takes the road less travelled

The prodigy who made his eponymous company a household name takes risks, but not without seeing the big picture

Michael Dell, founder and chief executive officer, Dell Picture: Bloomberg

It’s September and the kids are back to school. In Texas, entrepreneur Michael Dell has already received his report card. It reads well.

One year ago, Dell helped consummate the largest technology deal ever when the company he founded joined forces with data storage company EMC in a $65 billion merger to create Dell Technologies.

Results announced last week appear to show the Austin-based computer group is in good health once again. Revenues ...