Cisco

Stable job, especially if your grade is below a Director. Technology exposure is generally focused on networking. So, if you don't have networking on your resume, then it is a great place.

Technology exposure is very uni-dimensional unless you are working in one of the emerging products.

Very little "real" work for Directors and above; it is mostly powerpoints, politics, and posturing.

Decision-making is tied to hundreds of layers of management.

SVP and VP promos are random and make you wonder if merit was any consideration.

• Shake up BUs where the management team has a stranglehold on the BU for over 5 years; this will promote cross-company moves.
• Force Directors to move every 2-3 years to a different BU. Don't ask them, move them!
• Bring back agility in decision-making.
• Stop shuffling executives.