Cisco

Don't get me wrong: I didn't hit my 7-figure net worth via stock options but rather the generous compensation from Cisco (and being thrifty personally helped as well). Cisco does make you work for your money, but it is well worth it because of all the vast networking knowledge you'll acquire while working for them (especially in the IP domain). I've worked at various companies before Cisco, and I really have to say that this is THE best company so far that I've worked in.

Of course, YMMV.

Some projects, in the end, really are money-losing projects which Cisco still maintains because it wants to have a footprint on those particular networking technologies. However, Cisco does recognize this and will make sure not to spend any more money than it already has.

Some acquisitions, quite frankly, were too pricey, in my humble opinion, and I'm not sure whether they'll see a return on investment with those acquisitions.

Be extremely careful about acquisitions, as some really do not give the company a good ROI.