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Factors of Planning and Other Functions of Management EssayWith oer 300,000 people world wide, ATT is truly a global Fortune 500 company with a significant presence in the communication industry. With impressive growth, executives and managers need to develop a strategy that onlyows ATT to touch base with their clients and manage the contributing factors to their success.As stated in the ATT Annual Report (2007), ATT was able to increase their annual income by 98.3%. This amazing growth occurred in in all sectors of their revenue stream and made 2007 a historic year financially for ATT. ATT Chairman, CEO and President, Mr. Randall Stephenson also states in the annual report (2007, p. 8) there is one countersign that best describes what ATT does and it is connected. A simple vision that clearly describes what ATT does for their customers to drive growth in their organization.In order for a company to succeed in todays market, the result appeal to a global audience is imperat ive. Although ATT did not begin as a business organisation that offered products and services globally, ATTs web now includes 38 internet entropy centers on four continents across the globe (ATT, 2008). ATT offers a variety of communication products and services that appeal to individuals and companies. The demand for these types of products and services is on the rise, especially within major corporations. Given this demand, ATT has developed and maintained an advanced and powerful communications network. ATT is an industry leader of communication services, which serves millions of individuals and businesses on six continents (ATT, 2008).The economy is an external factor that influences how ATT manages quick change. For example, with plaza foreclosures at a record high, the demand for landline band service is decreasing. Mean dapple the demand for wireless service is increasing. ATT continues to focus on advance wireless products (ATT, Vonage, 2008). ATT has acquired many s maller wireless providers, which allows them to become the light up provider of wireless services in the United States. Cingular wireless is one of the wireless companies that ATT bought out. afterward the purchase of Cingular wireless, ATT began, promoting the new ATT, the one-stop shop for all kinds of communicationsand entertainment services (Goodbye Cingular, 2007).As early as 1885, ATT began providing telephone service in the United States. To recognise the vast growth in their technology over the past 100 years is amazing. The service initially started with one-line calls or the ability for only one mortal to make a telephone call at a time and it now services over 70 million customers. The costs have lessen significantly over the decades as well. In 1892, a long distance phone call from New York to Chicago would cost about $9 for the rootage five minutes rather expensive for that period in time.Today, ATT has grown to be the worlds largest communications carrier and pro vides services for a broad spectrum of customers from residential to commercial, manage the Fortune 1000 companies. Other than the typical local and long distance voice services for the residential customer, ATT also provides high speed internet access, home networking, Wi-Fi, and wireless voice and data services. According to ATTs website (2008), they provide businesses with access to one of the worlds most advanced IP networks. ATT provides the corporal community with technologies, such as, Voice over IP (VoIP), enterprise mobility solutions and Virtual Private Network (VPN) connections.To keep up with todays vastly growing field of technology, ATT (2008) recently switched on the nations first coast-to-coast IP/MPLS network In the United States alone, ATTs wired network encompasses 61.6 million access lines and has 14.2 million high speed internet subscribers. In 2008, ATT plans to expand their current 64,000 Wi-Fi hot spy to more than 70,000 locations also launch more of their multi-screen services.ATT embraces technological innovation to convert ideas rapidly into useful products and services. ATTs management and planning functions focus on the company and its customers while applying principles of sound, responsible and forward-looking stewardship to the inevitably of society. Today, ATT 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 carry of business on the Internet, not only buying and selling but also servicing customers and collaborating with business partners.E-business allows ATT and other companies to use the Web to buy move and supplies from other companies, to collaborate on sales promotions, and to participate in joint research. ATTs involvement with technology innovation such as e-business influences a range of criteria, including customer relationship performance, sales-based outcomes, and a general measure of organizational performance. The moderating role of ATTs management teams involvement suggests that management championing the initiatives is crucial for successful results of the e-business market tendencies and new business development possibilities (ATT, 2008).Alexander Graham bell made the first telephone call to Watson about 150 years ago. One century ago, there were 10,000 telephone companies battling for their share in the voice communication market. ATT battling in the communications market, realized in order to continue innovation, a sustained research and development fate was needed. Early in 1925, ATT determined they could not do this alone and made a series of strategic acquisitions and uniform standards. In the late 20th century, ATT acquired Bell Labs that focused on computers, information and communications science.According to ATT (2008), Recognized as a pioneer in the IT revolution of the late 1990s, direction of innovation at ATT Labs influenc es 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 meliorate social, economic and environmental opportunities for ATT communities. (13)ATT 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), offset printing 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), words recognition and synthesis (1992), Voice over IP technology (1995), Quantum computing (1999), Internet Project predictive and proactivenetwork security (2005) (ATT, 2008).ATT noted on their website (2008), Despite its pioneering efforts in other areas of the company, including diversity, customer service and human resources, ATTs reputation for innovation remains closely tethered to ATT Labs.( 4)ATT realizes that diverse, talented and dedicated people is lynchpin to the companys success. In fostering diversity and inclusion, ATT has created a better business environment, one that makes the company an employer of choice, a preferred business partner and important contributor to the community. The companys philosophical system 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. ATT leaders are expect to understand the importance of cultural competency. To support this principle, ATT provides career development initiatives. ATTs commitment to diversity remains a top priority for the company. ATTs diverse workforce is an asset to the company and a result of its commitment to recruit and hire the very best talent. ATT currently co nducts business in more than 150 languages and advertises in top languages in selected states. ATT leaders and employees practice respect for differences in their daily interactions. By understanding the various regions served, ATT management is better positioned to plan for and meet the unique needs of customers wherever it does business (ATT, 2008).With over 300,000 working for ATT ensuring ethical behavior is very important. Ethics and Governance are the standards in which the company, including all employees, must adhere to in all aspects of conducting business internally and externally. ATT has adopted a simple statement Do what is right as their motto for ethical conduct by all employees and directors. (Governance, 2003-2008)ATT has four guiding principles stated in their Code of Ethics and Guiding Principles manual on how to treat customers, investors and employees. Those principles are Talk straight and Follow Through, trey by Example, Work Together, and Deliver our Future. These four statements are the fabric to ATTs principles and make it clear as to what is expected when working for or dealing with ATT. In todaysenvironment, ethics have become a serious issue. Directors and managers, as well as employees, are becoming more liable with respect to honorable decisions they make at work. Enron is an example of how deceit by a few individuals caused such a ripple effect on the finances of many. Companies like ATT 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 poor judgment.In concluding, with this impressive growth, executives and managers needed to develop a strategy that allowed ATT to connect with their customers and manage the contributing factors to their success. Through innovation and diversity, ATT has grown from a company that started with one-line calling to a multi-million conglomerate, servicing millions of customers around the globe. In keeping u p with technology and continuing to implement new corporate strategies, ATT will continue to grow both financially and globally. ATT will continue to be a leader in their field for many years to come.ReferencesATT Inc., (2008), All about ATT Company, Retrieved April 8, 2008, from att.comATT Inc. (2007) Annual Report, p. 8, 29.ATT, Inc. (2008), retrieved April 8, 2008, from att.com/gen/investor-relationsATT. (2008). Enterprise Services. Retrieved April 6, 2008, from att.com/gen/general/ATT Governance, Corporate Social Responsibility (2003-2008). ATT Knowledge Venture, Retrieved April 10, 2008, from att.com/corporate/citizenship/htmlATT, Vonage, Comcast spool the economy. (2008, January). TelecomWeb News Break. Retrieved April 6, 2008, ProQuest database, University Library.Goodbye Cingular, hello again ATT ATTs acquisition of Bell South began process. (2007, May 21). The New York Times, Grand Rapids Press, Grand Rapids, MI, Retrieved April 9, 2008, from ProQuest database, University L ibrary,