From Divestiture To Trivestiture: My Years with AT&T Bell Laboratories

By Harish Mangrulkar

Bell Laboratories was not my first job out of the college. After my graduate studies in mechanical engineering at University of Rochester, I had worked in small and mid-size manufacturing companies developing high technology products and equipment for biomedical and electronic markets. I was at the crossroads of my career when the new AT&T decided to enter into the soon-to-be-exploding personal computer business. It was one of the several new opportunities created by the decree of divestiture. I had read and heard a great deal about Bell Laboratories' university-like work atmosphere that is conducive to inventions and innovations in high technology, superior benefits for employees and their families, great education and pension plans, and relative job stability. So when the job opportunity came along in the the personal computer division, I had no second thoughts about accepting it. As I reminisce about the last 10 years I have spent in the Bell Laboratories, I have to admit that all my original expectations about the workplace have come true. And yes, that also includes my expectations of the job stability. Let me explain what I mean.

Over the past 10 years, AT&T has given me a great opportunity to develop and deliver several high technology products in the computer and communications fields to the business and residential markets. I am proud to have been a part of the teams that designed generations of compact and powerful desktop and laptop computers, globalized business phone systems, the first videophone and personal communicator to the world, and that brought AMPS and digital cellular phones to the mass market. In the process, I was given first-class professional treatment by my peers and superiors and I was able to develop myself by pursuing numerous in-house and university offered courses in the emerging technologies. I have had exciting opportunities to work with the world's most reknowned researchers from Murray Hill, Bell Laboratories' most prestigious research facility. AT&T, as big as it is, is a company which recognizes that it cannot and should not do everything itself. Furthermore, we realize thatin order to be a global player, we need to have global partnerships.

This business philosophy has given me several opportunities to work with strategic partners from overseas multinational companies to upstarts fromSilicon Valley and elsewhere. Finally, watching the products I designed go through AT&T's world-class manufacturing facilities and put to use by the customers has given me an unparalleled sense of pride and fruition. Today's AT&T is becoming more and more competitive, customer focused and global in its approach. It has been, and in my opinion it will continue to be, a great place to start as well as finish one's career. AT&T has expected the best from its employees and the best universities in the nation have responded well by providing as well as helping to maintain such a talent. Columbia University is a much respected name in the isles of AT&T. I am particularly excited when young and talented graduates fresh out of colleges join our project teams, bring new ideas and innovations to the table and infuse fresh energy into the development process. A company like AT&T helps those ideas take shape into new products and services. The secret of a long term survival and prosperity in a company like AT&T is one's ability to be flexible. I was fortunate enough to be able to make the transitions from computers to consumer electronic products to wireless products when the business directions changes as dictated by the marketplace.

But, don't get me wrong. There have been occasions when you want to call it quits. But one of the advantages of working for a successful leader like AT&T is that you know you will eventually overcome the challenges through innovation, hard work and AT&T's value system called "Our Common Bond" which places emphasis on teamwork and respect for individuals.

Today's AT&T is currently going through another transition called "trivestiture." In this self imposed restructuring that began last September 20th, the company has split into three separate and independent public companies. The first company will continue to be called AT&T and provide long distance and wireless (both cellular and PCS) services as well as financial services through the AT&T Universal Card. The second company was named Lucent Technologies on Feb. 5, 1996. It will retain Bell Laboratories and be involved in the manufacture and distribution of communication products and equipment. The third company will revert back to its old name NCR, acquired by AT&T in 1991, and its old business of ATMs and information systems used in the banking and transaction industry.

The AT&T story is not over yet. Please stay tuned!