Dell Expands 2008 Small Business Excellence Award to Recognize Innovative Technology Use Across the Globe

Dell today announced it is expanding the Small Business Excellence Award internationally, giving small businesses that demonstrate technology innovation to benefit customers a chance to win up to $50,000 in Dell solutions and be honored by Dell and its world-class partners.

Global award partners include the International Council for Small Business (ICSB), which has a mission to advance entrepreneurship through global knowledge sharing and networking, and Endeavor, a global non-profit supporting emerging market entrepreneurs.

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), America’s leading small-business advocacy association, and Dell founded the program in 2004, and the two organizations continue to recognize leading U.S. small businesses for using technology to better serve customers.

Call for entries for the fifth annual U.S. Dell/NFIB Small Business Excellence Award start today through Feb. 29, 2008. Additional countries participating in the program will be announced over the coming weeks. For a description of the award criteria, rules and regulations, award levels, partners and judges and to complete an application.

Chosen from the national winners, the global 2008 Small Business Excellence Award winner receives:

• $50,000 in technology and services from Dell; featured in an entrepreneurs summit hosted by Chairman and CEO Michael Dell; lifetime membership to ICSB, and engaging with Endeavor’s network of business leaders and high-impact entrepreneurs in emerging markets worldwide.
• Each national winner receives $25,000 in Dell products and services; a day of best-practice sharing with Dell executives, including Mr. Dell, and partner benefits that will vary by country. The U.S. winner receives a lifetime NFIB membership.
• Nine finalists in each country receive: A Dell business-class laptop, and partner benefits that will vary by country. The U.S. finalists receive a one-year NFIB membership.

Entrants must be businesses with 100 or fewer employees, and each must show how it represents the spirit of innovation in applying information technology in its business practices to improve the customer experience. Applications are accepted online, and submission deadlines vary by country. No purchase or entry fee is required. U.S. finalists will be announced in May 2008, and the U.S. national winner will be announced June 9, 2008, at the NFIB National Small-Business Summit in Washington, D.C. All national finalists and winners will be selected by August 2008, and the global winner will be announced in fall 2008.

“Since winning the Dell/NFIB award in July 2007, we have seen renewed energy, focus and especially new business opportunities,” said Jim Cox, founder and president of Medkinetics. “NFIB is helping us forge new relationships with fast-growing companies like ours, and Dell is not only a technology provider to us but has become a real partner helping us better serve our customers. We are in the process of becoming an independent software vendor for Dell’s health care and life sciences division – this is a huge opportunity for our company.”

About NFIB

NFIB is the nation’s leading small-business advocacy association, with offices in Washington, D.C., and all 50 state capitals. Founded in 1943 as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, NFIB gives small- and independent-business owners a voice in shaping the public policy issues that affect their business. NFIB’s powerful network of grassroots activists send their views directly to state and federal lawmakers through a unique member-only ballot, thus playing a critical role in supporting America’s free enterprise system. NFIB’s mission is to promote and protect the right of members to own, operate and grow their businesses.

About Endeavor

As of January 2007, Endeavor Entrepreneurs throughout Latin America, South Africa and Turkey have created 79,000 new jobs and generated over $1.9 billion in revenues. Endeavor plans to launch operations in Egypt and India in early 2008.

About ICSB

Founded in 1955, the ICSB is the premier global membership organization to promote the growth and development of small businesses worldwide. With over 2,000 members from over 70 countries, the ICSB brings together educators, researchers, policy makers and practitioners to share knowledge and experience in their respective fields. ICSB promotes the development of knowledge in all areas of business theory and practice and is particularly focused on strategies and policies proven to be effective in sustaining small businesses and entrepreneurship.

About Dell

Dell Inc. listens to customers and delivers innovative technology and services they trust and value. Uniquely enabled by its direct business model, Dell is a leading global systems and services company.