As a long time investor ( I have never worked for AT&T), I am out.. I will explain why below.
- I bought into AT&T concept back in late 80's and early 90's when I was in university. I took a class on history of telecommunication (thought to make easy A, It changed my life forever). I was fascinated by history of the company. It made me to do more research. I learned about the company which done so much for technology industry. From discovery of transistor to digital switch to fiber, laser and wireless. It went on on..
- My research brought me to attention of one thing. The culture included enablement, encourage risk, create cooperative and productive work place for its employees. While its employees motivated and go far beyond line of duty to discover the next big thing. They used to hire, the best of the best!!! Admire by many college students as place to go.
- Once, I had money to invest. The impressive leadership of AT&T (produced more CEOs) and ability to have a long term vision, a great experience all around with everything with that logo on it. It made me invest on company. I never thought, I am investing to make a buck or two to dump it. I thought, this will be my long term plan.
All those changes in last few years:
- I hated, when management started looking for short term gain at any cost (in the way for their own gain). First, they took power away from employees. Then they started spending money like, there is no tomorrow. For 80 years, they spent money on R&D and come up with next big thing. In last 10 years, They spent money buying others without any idea, what to do with the asset.
- I hated, when on phase 2, they went after their employees. The very asset which created company and made it leader. Now, they considered overhead and useless (lay off, force retirement, etc.)
- Lack of strategy, even today, I am not clear what is AT&T management strategy? It comes across as they are comfortable with being second or 3rd best on everything. They don't want to lead. They just want to follow Verizon and T-Mobile. Trust me, this is not the company which discovered and created all those technologies.
- Spend money at any cost.. First, they spent it on buying stuff. Now, they are spending on giving away phones to the customers to have short gain. I am pretty sure, next, they will come up with being the low cost operator. Competing against Mint Wireless and those companies
- PR and lies, I am sorry to say this. I am sick and tired of seeing their all out PR machine which over stating everything. Lies and Lies.. We have 5G everywhere (I don't see it), we have fibers everywhere (not exactly), we are the best network.. Come on man! for 100 years, you were the best telecom company in the world. I did not see, the level of PR BS 30 years ago.
- I listen to AT&T executives, I hate their self promoting personality. None of them, say, Our employees is our strength. We will change direction because we are freaking 200K strong.. They just speaking "me" "I" .. hate it hate it.
I sold all my stocks, I am out.. I hope, AT&T changes the course and prove, I am wrong. I hope, AT&T goes back to the time when they were producing CEOs and executives for whole world.. I hope, AT&T will innovate again.. I hope, AT&T will focus on it employees.. Otherwise, this will not end well.