Posted: November 21st, 2015

BUSINESS 984

Introduction
Albert Einstein once said “I fear the day that technology will surpass our human inter action”. In our world today it is obscure to hear about someone not owning a cellphone. We have become reliant; most people will have a phone in their hand throughout most of the day. It is to a point where people are suffering anxiety; psychologists have even dubbed this as an addiction called Nomophobia. (Archer, 2013) Which is defined as the fear of being without your smartphone and it affects forty percent of the population. Because of the grasping effect technology holds on humanity specifically in the form of smart phones, wireless communication is a lucrative business to be in. There are many different companies to choose from, the main ones are Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T. In this paper I would like to take a further look into AT&T, and discuss the challenges they face in the business.
Specify, in brief, the nature, structure, types of products or service of the business you selected.
AT&T is well known for mobile phones, and in 2013, introduced AT&T Wireless Home Phone & Internet. (AT&T, 2014) AT&T also provides a service called AT&T U-verse, It is a TV that you can personally customize to exactly what you like to watch. U-verse content is available on your television, your smartphone or tablet and even online. They also offer a U-verse Wireless Receiver; this device makes it possible for you to watch tv anywhere in your home even where there isn’t an outlet for a TV. (AT&T, 2014) AT&T has consistently provided original, dependable, high-quality products and services and exceptional customer care. Their mission is to connect people with their world, everywhere they live and work, and do it better than anyone else. (AT&T, 2014)
Examine the information within the company’s code of ethical conduct, and choose three (3) key issues from within the document that you believe are critical for success.
Part of AT&T’s commitment to its business and shareholders is to avoid and resolve conflicts of interest. AT&T talks about putting the business interest ahead of their own personal gain. They do not allow their own interest or family or other relationships to influence the decisions that they make on behalf of the Company AT&T avoids conflicts of interest, disclose and resolve them promptly if they arise, and strive to avoid even the appearance of such conflicts. This is vital to the success of the company, because conflicts of interest can undermine the business judgment, threaten AT&T’s reputation, and expose the Company to risk. Issues like this that can arise sometimes lessen the faith of the shareholders of a company. (AT&T CEO, 2014)
Commitment to Customers following ethical sales practices is vital for a company. Customers should always know a company values them. AT&T fairly represents their products and services to their customer. They listen to the customers, and challenge the company to find new ways to offer the best solutions available to help customers communicate efficiently, sustainably, and safely. AT&T earns and preserves their customers trust by treating them with honesty and integrity and in a professional, courteous manner. Delivering what they promise to their customers AT&T does not provide goods or services that customers did not authorize. AT&T also states that sometimes their customers include their competitors and suppliers In those situations, AT&T serves them in the same professional manner we would extend to any customer. Having ethical sales practices is important because it proves loyalty and respect to the customer, and will result in return business.
For the sake of their shareholders, creditors, and others, AT&T strives to generate reliable financial reporting and maintain dependable business records. The company is committed to full, fair, timely, accurate, and understandable disclosure in the reports and documents that AT&T files or submits to the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission and regulators around the globe. AT&T prepares their business records and financial reports with integrity and honesty, whether they are externally reported or used internally to oversee the Company’s operations. They report concerns as well as issues regarding business records, through the appropriate Company channels. Maintaining integrity in financial reporting and business records is of the utmost importance for a company. If a company fails to uphold these standards then it can become catastrophic, and collapse the company.
Using the three (3) key issues you selected as a target, compare and contrast the codes of conduct of two (2) similar companies (Verizon and T-Mobile) within the same industry as your chosen company. Examine the extent to which the two (2) similar companies you researched have addressed the key issues you selected.
After looking over Verizons’ code of business conduct, they do not explain in detail, and outline issues and solutions as ATT&T does. Verizon addresses conflicts of interest by stating that they conduct training to employees regarding the level of integrity and responsible behavior, all employees are required to adhere the Verizon Code of Conduct. It provides guidelines on such matters as gifts and entertainment, Internet practices, conflicts of interest and confidentiality—with an emphasis on protecting the information that has been entrusted to the companies care. Verizon doesn’t really explain anything about their company and ethical behavior toward their customers, or mention anything at all about record keeping.
T-Mobile actually had a detailed breakdown of their codes of conduct. They provided issues and solutions just like AT&T. They provide detailed responses to conflict of interests, customer ethics and also book keeping. Although they give detail explanations of most issues and how to resolve them I still feel that they lacked on information on some issues. They gave examples of situations also, which I thought was helpful for someone if they questioned whether or not their behavior would be violating their code of conduct, the examples would help put things into perspective. Although their code of conduct page was longer then AT&T I feel like it was covered in fluff, it didn’t get straight to the point. This makes me question the company, I like business cut and dry and I don’t want to look for answers.

Hypothesize two (2) potential positive outcomes for each company if each addresses the key issues in question
If Verizon and T-Mobile addressed these issues more thoroughly I believe it would bring a positive outcomes by providing customers with more security in the company, and also reassuring investors and stakeholders in the practices of the company. Providing customers with security is extremely important to the survival of a company. If your customers loose faith in your company then your company looses its customers. With out people to buy or use your products companies will shut down. Investors and stakeholders are vital to a company as well but only secondary to the consumer. If investors loose their reassurance in a company they may stop backing that company and step in to start influencing actions of the company.
two (2) potential adverse effects if each company fails to address these issues.
Propose two (2) techniques that the original company you selected could use in order to ensure that its code of conduct will remain relevant through years of changing economic, political, social, cultural, and technological forces on business and society.
Next, evaluate the effectiveness of two (2) methods that the company currently adopts in order to manage environment issues.
Examine two (2) approaches that the original company you selected has taken in order to embrace technological advancements for innovation and thus improve business offerings.
Anticipate three (3) potential technological challenges the company could face, recommend one (1) strategy that the company could use in order to eliminate or minimize each of these anticipated challenges.
Specify at least one (1) one lobbying strategy that the original company you selected has used in an effort to influence national or local government decisions in its favor.
Summarize the issue in question, and ascertain whether or not the lobbying effort was appropriate. Justify the response.
Analyze two (2) global corporate citizenship efforts of the original company you selected, and assess the extent to which these efforts are effective in accomplishing the company’s goals.
Examine the manner in which the two (2) global citizenship efforts could contribute significantly to the company’s sustainable development goals.

Introduction
Albert Einstein once said “I fear the day that technology will surpass our human inter action”. In our world today it is obscure to hear about someone not owning a cellphone. We have become reliant; most people will have a phone in their hand throughout most of the day. It is to a point where people are suffering anxiety; psychologists have even dubbed this as an addiction called Nomophobia. (Archer, 2013) Which is defined as the fear of being without your smartphone and it affects forty percent of the population. Because of the grasping effect technology holds on humanity specifically in the form of smart phones, wireless communication is a lucrative business to be in. There are many different companies to choose from, the main ones are Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T. In this paper I would like to take a further look into AT&T, and discuss the challenges they face in the business.
Specify, in brief, the nature, structure, types of products or service of the business you selected.
AT&T is well known for mobile phones, and in 2013, introduced AT&T Wireless Home Phone & Internet. (AT&T, 2014) AT&T also provides a service called AT&T U-verse, It is a TV that you can personally customize to exactly what you like to watch. U-verse content is available on your television, your smartphone or tablet and even online. They also offer a U-verse Wireless Receiver; this device makes it possible for you to watch tv anywhere in your home even where there isn’t an outlet for a TV. (AT&T, 2014) AT&T has consistently provided original, dependable, high-quality products and services and exceptional customer care. Their mission is to connect people with their world, everywhere they live and work, and do it better than anyone else. (AT&T, 2014)
Examine the information within the company’s code of ethical conduct, and choose three (3) key issues from within the document that you believe are critical for success.
Part of AT&T’s commitment to its business and shareholders is to avoid and resolve conflicts of interest. AT&T talks about putting the business interest ahead of their own personal gain. They do not allow their own interest or family or other relationships to influence the decisions that they make on behalf of the Company AT&T avoids conflicts of interest, disclose and resolve them promptly if they arise, and strive to avoid even the appearance of such conflicts. This is vital to the success of the company, because conflicts of interest can undermine the business judgment, threaten AT&T’s reputation, and expose the Company to risk. Issues like this that can arise sometimes lessen the faith of the shareholders of a company. (AT&T CEO, 2014)
Commitment to Customers following ethical sales practices is vital for a company. Customers should always know a company values them. AT&T fairly represents their products and services to their customer. They listen to the customers, and challenge the company to find new ways to offer the best solutions available to help customers communicate efficiently, sustainably, and safely. AT&T earns and preserves their customers trust by treating them with honesty and integrity and in a professional, courteous manner. Delivering what they promise to their customers AT&T does not provide goods or services that customers did not authorize. AT&T also states that sometimes their customers include their competitors and suppliers In those situations, AT&T serves them in the same professional manner we would extend to any customer. Having ethical sales practices is important because it proves loyalty and respect to the customer, and will result in return business.
For the sake of their shareholders, creditors, and others, AT&T strives to generate reliable financial reporting and maintain dependable business records. The company is committed to full, fair, timely, accurate, and understandable disclosure in the reports and documents that AT&T files or submits to the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission and regulators around the globe. AT&T prepares their business records and financial reports with integrity and honesty, whether they are externally reported or used internally to oversee the Company’s operations. They report concerns as well as issues regarding business records, through the appropriate Company channels. Maintaining integrity in financial reporting and business records is of the utmost importance for a company. If a company fails to uphold these standards then it can become catastrophic, and collapse the company.
Using the three (3) key issues you selected as a target, compare and contrast the codes of conduct of two (2) similar companies (Verizon and T-Mobile) within the same industry as your chosen company. Examine the extent to which the two (2) similar companies you researched have addressed the key issues you selected.
After looking over Verizons’ code of business conduct, they do not explain in detail, and outline issues and solutions as ATT&T does. Verizon addresses conflicts of interest by stating that they conduct training to employees regarding the level of integrity and responsible behavior, all employees are required to adhere the Verizon Code of Conduct. It provides guidelines on such matters as gifts and entertainment, Internet practices, conflicts of interest and confidentiality—with an emphasis on protecting the information that has been entrusted to the companies care. Verizon doesn’t really explain anything about their company and ethical behavior toward their customers, or mention anything at all about record keeping.
T-Mobile actually had a detailed breakdown of their codes of conduct. They provided issues and solutions just like AT&T. They provide detailed responses to conflict of interests, customer ethics and also book keeping. Although they give detail explanations of most issues and how to resolve them I still feel that they lacked on information on some issues. They gave examples of situations also, which I thought was helpful for someone if they questioned whether or not their behavior would be violating their code of conduct, the examples would help put things into perspective. Although their code of conduct page was longer then AT&T I feel like it was covered in fluff, it didn’t get straight to the point. This makes me question the company, I like business cut and dry and I don’t want to look for answers.

Hypothesize two (2) potential positive outcomes for each company if each addresses the key issues in question
If Verizon and T-Mobile addressed these issues more thoroughly I believe it would bring a positive outcomes by providing customers with more security in the company, and also reassuring investors and stakeholders in the practices of the company. Providing customers with security is extremely important to the survival of a company. If your customers loose faith in your company then your company looses its customers. With out people to buy or use your products companies will shut down. Investors and stakeholders are vital to a company as well but only secondary to the consumer. If investors loose their reassurance in a company they may stop backing that company and step in to start influencing actions of the company.
two (2) potential adverse effects if each company fails to address these issues.
Propose two (2) techniques that the original company you selected could use in order to ensure that its code of conduct will remain relevant through years of changing economic, political, social, cultural, and technological forces on business and society.
Next, evaluate the effectiveness of two (2) methods that the company currently adopts in order to manage environment issues.
Examine two (2) approaches that the original company you selected has taken in order to embrace technological advancements for innovation and thus improve business offerings.
Anticipate three (3) potential technological challenges the company could face, recommend one (1) strategy that the company could use in order to eliminate or minimize each of these anticipated challenges.
Specify at least one (1) one lobbying strategy that the original company you selected has used in an effort to influence national or local government decisions in its favor.
Summarize the issue in question, and ascertain whether or not the lobbying effort was appropriate. Justify the response.
Analyze two (2) global corporate citizenship efforts of the original company you selected, and assess the extent to which these efforts are effective in accomplishing the company’s goals.
Examine the manner in which the two (2) global citizenship efforts could contribute significantly to the company’s sustainable development goals.