Factors of Planning and Other Functions of Management Essay

With oer 300,000 people world wide, AT&T is truly a orbicular Fortune 500 constrain company with a significant presence in the communication labor. With impressive proveth, executives and wieldrs shoot to come apart a strategy that allows AT&T to connect with their nodes and manage the contributing actors to their success.As tell in the AT&T yearly Report (2007), AT&T was able to increase their annual income by 98.3%. This amazing growth occurred in all sectors of their revenue stream and make 2007 a historic year financially for AT&T. AT&T Chairman, CEO and President, Mr. Randall Stephenson also states in the annual report (2007, p. 8) there is adept word that best describes what AT&T does and it is connected. A simple stack that clearly describes what AT&T does for their customers to drive growth in their organization.In order for a company to succeed in right aways market, the product appeal to a global audience is imperative. Although AT&T did not begin as a busines s that offered products and run globally, AT&Ts network now includes 38 meshing entropy centers on four continents across the globe (AT&T, 2008). AT&T offers a variety of communication products and all oerhauls that appeal to individuals and companies. The demand for these types of products and service is on the rise, especially within major corporations. Given this demand, AT&T has create and maintained an mature and powerful communications network. AT&T is an industry leader of communication services, which serves millions of individuals and businesses on six continents (AT&T, 2008).The economy is an external factor that influences how AT&T manages rapid change. For event, with lieu foreclosures at a place down high, the demand for landline teleph angiotensin-converting enzyme service is decreasing. Meanwhile the demand for radiocommunication service is increasing. AT&T acts to focus on advancing radio products (AT&T, Vonage, 2008). AT&T has acquired many smaller wire less providers, which allows them to exit the fleet provider of wireless services in the United States. Cingular wireless is iodine of the wireless companies that AT&T bought out. After the purchase of Cingular wireless, AT&T began, promoting the fresh AT&T, the one-stop shop for all kinds of communicationsand entertainment services (Goodbye Cingular, 2007).As early as 1885, AT&T began providing phone service in the United States. To see the vast growth in their technology over the past 100 years is amazing. The service initially started with one-line wishs or the ability for only one person to make a telephone call at a time and it now services over 70 million customers. The costs have decreased significantly over the decades as well. In 1892, a long distance phone call from New York to Chicago would cost about $9 for the starting louvre minutes rather expensive for that period in time.Today, AT&T has grown to be the worlds largest communications carrier and provides servic es for a broad spectrum of customers from residential to commercial, like the Fortune 1000 companies. some other than the typical local and long distance voice services for the residential customer, AT&T also provides high speed internet access, home networking, Wi-Fi, and wireless voice and data services. According to AT&Ts website (2008), they provide businesses with access to one of the worlds most advanced IP networks. AT&T provides the corporate community with technologies, such as, vowelize over IP (VoIP), enterprise mobility solutions and Virtual Private Network (VPN) connections.To keep up with todays vastly growing field of technology, AT&T (2008) recently switched on the nations first coast-to-coast IP/MPLS network In the United States alone, AT&Ts pumped-up(a) network encompasses 61.6 million access lines and has 14.2 million high speed internet subscribers. In 2008, AT&T plans to expand their current 64,000 Wi-Fi hot espy to more than 70,000 locations also launch mor e of their multi-screen services.AT&T embraces proficient intention to convert ideas rapidly into useful products and services. AT&Ts management and planning functions focus on the company and its customers while applying principles of sound, creditworthy and forward-looking stewardship to the unavoidablenesss of society. Today, AT&T is rethinking management functions and planning in terms of the Internet and new culture and capabilities. E-business (electronic business), derived fromsuch terms as e-mail and e-commerce, is the conduct of business on the Internet, not only purchase and selling but also run customers and collaborating with business partners.E-business allows AT&T and other companies to use the Web to buy parts and supplies from other companies, to join on sales promotions, and to participate in joint research. AT&Ts involvement with technology entry such as e-business influences a range of criteria, including customer relationship performance, sales-based outco mes, and a general measure of organisational performance. The moderating role of AT&Ts management aggroups involvement suggests that management championing the initiatives is crucial for successful results of the e-business market tendencies and new business phylogenesis possibilities (AT&T, 2008).Alexander Graham Bell do the first telephone call to Watson about 150 years ago. One coke ago, there were 10,000 telephone companies battling for their share in the voice communication market. AT&T battling in the communications market, realized in order to continue innovation, a sustained research and development component was needed. Early in 1925, AT&T determined they could not do this alone and made a series of strategic acquisitions and uniform standards. In the late twentieth century, AT&T acquired Bell Labs that focused on reckoners, information and communications science.According to AT&T (2008), Recognized as a open up in the IT revolution of the late 1990s, direction of inn ovation at AT&T Labs influences not only the ways we live and work today but our lives and the workplace of the future. With these guiding principles, our work in development, creativity and innovation lead to improved social, economic and environmental opportunities for AT&T communities. (13)AT&T has made significant innovative contributions to the history of American business and global technology. Listed are a few of these accomplishments includingHigh-fidelity recording (1925), First TV transmission (1927), Trans-Atlantic radiotelephone (1929), Radio astronomy (1933), The transistor (1937), The first computer (1939), The laser (1960), Optical fiber communication (1977), Cellular technology (1983), voice communication recognition and synthesis (1992), Voice over IP technology (1995), Quantum compute (1999), Internet Project predictive and proactivenetwork security (2005) (AT&T, 2008).AT&T noted on their website (2008), Despite its pioneering efforts in other areas of the compan y, including diversity, customer service and human resources, AT&Ts reputation for innovation remains closely tethered to AT&T Labs.( 4)AT&T realizes that diverse, apt and dedicated people is key to the companys success. In gentility diversity and inclusion, AT&T has created a better business environment, one that makes the company an employer of choice, a preferred business partner and important subscriber to the community. The companys philosophy is to provide employees with continued opportunities to grow and develop their careers.Management is charged with successful implementation of various diversity initiatives as part of this philosophy. AT&T leaders are expected to visit the importance of cultural competency. To support this principle, AT&T provides career development initiatives. AT&Ts commitment to diversity remains a top priority for the company. AT&Ts diverse work force is an asset to the company and a result of its commitment to recruit and adopt the very best ta lent. AT&T currently conducts business in more than 150 languages and advertises in top languages in selected states. AT&T leaders and employees practice respect for differences in their daily interactions. By rationality the various regions served, AT&T management is better positioned to plan for and set up the unique needs of customers wherever it does business (AT&T, 2008).With over 300,000 working for AT&T ensuring estimable behavior is very important. morals and Governance are the standards in which the company, including all employees, must adhere to in all aspects of conducting business internally and externally. AT&T has adopted a simple statement Do what is right as their motto for ethical conduct by all employees and directors. (Governance, 2003-2008)AT&T has four guiding principles stated in their Code of Ethics and Guiding Principles manual on how to accost customers, investors and employees. Those principles are Talk straight and Follow Through, Lead by Example, d ally Together, and Deliver our Future.These four statements are the fabric to AT&Ts principles and make it clear as to what is expected when working for or dealings with AT&T. In todaysenvironment, ethics have become a serious issue. Directors and managers, as well as employees, are congruous more liable with respect to moral decisions they make at work. Enron is an example of how deceit by a few individuals caused such a cockle effect on the finances of many. Companies like AT&T need to touch the moral being of each employee to ensure its customers, shareholders and all parties vested in them are not affected by ones miserable judgment.In concluding, with this impressive growth, executives and managers needed to develop a strategy that allowed AT&T to connect with their customers and manage the contributing factors to their success. Through innovation and diversity, AT&T has grown from a company that started with one-line calling to a multi-million conglomerate, servicing milli ons of customers around the globe. In keeping up with technology and continuing to implement new corporate strategies, AT&T will continue to grow both financially and globally. AT&T will continue to be a leader in their field for many years to come.ReferencesAT&T Inc., (2008), All about AT&T Company, Retrieved April 8, 2008, from att.comAT&T Inc. (2007) annual Report, p. 8, 29.AT&T, Inc. (2008), retrieved April 8, 2008, from att.com/gen/investor-relationsAT&T. (2008). Enterprise Services. Retrieved April 6, 2008, from att.com/gen/general/AT&T Governance, Corporate kind Responsibility (2003-2008). AT&T Knowledge Venture, Retrieved April 10, 2008, from att.com/corporate/citizenship/htmlAT&T, Vonage, Comcast spool the economy. (2008, January). TelecomWeb word Break. Retrieved April 6, 2008, ProQuest database, University Library.Goodbye Cingular, hello again AT&T AT&Ts acquisition of Bell South began process. (2007, May 21). The New York Times, epic Rapids Press, Grand Rapids, MI, R etrieved April 9, 2008, from ProQuest database, University Library,