Cisco

A good brand name. You can while away time doing nothing, as a lot of people do. If inquisitive enough, you can learn a lot about markets, products, and technical architecture in general.

Too much politics.

Appreciation by mouth isn't good enough, and that's what you get from higher up. You need to play politics and keep whining or threatening about leaving; you might get something then. Being new to working full-time, I didn't play my cards well and kept to myself.

A lot of guys know nothing but talk, and eventually, they take the pie, and you are left with crumbs.

As a new hire, fresh off school and under choice, it is fun. Fast forward a year, you see you haven't done anything to be proud of. It strikes you: you knew much more when you were in school than now. You were much more marketable before than now!

Advice: Learn as much as you can. Once you see it's slowing down, get out before you become totally unemployable!

Get rid of useless corporate/manager chains.

Not sure how, but cut down the people who play politics and reward true talent.