Ford

Ford does a good job of hiring knowledgeable people in all areas and a very good job of only promoting the best to middle- and upper-level management positions. I have yet to run into a middle-level manager (above supervisor) who I couldn't learn from. That doesn't mean they all have great technical knowledge, but they can't possibly always know the technical details of projects, given that they are usually dealing with budgets and people issues.

Processes... then more processes. Getting some easy things done can take a ridiculous amount of time because every area has its own process for getting things done. In addition, too many of the processes are rigid and don't account for differences in the way that other areas operate.

Reduce, to the bare minimum, the steps needed by customers outside of your area to get something done by your group.