Visa

Low-level management is typically very talented and cares about employees. Salary can be more than fair. Some very talented technicians and business-side people can be found at ViSA. Plus, you can learn a lot about the payments industry.

Mid-level spends too much time involved in low-level operational activities.

Even the most senior techies are not encouraged to take risks or be rewarded for risks.

CEO and minions often seem to agree, but mid-level appears to pervert what the CEO wants.

Environment is HIGHLY political, and based on the banking world circa 1985. Don't even think about non-waterfall development.

Heavy use of project managers, who are often clueless as to which industry they are in.

Bonuses seem unrelated to actual work performed and are not doled out by direct management. Rather, they are given out by mid-level managers who base performance on "feelings," not work completed.

The CEO and one layer below should leave SFO and go visit the troops directly. VISA's success is ultimately being limited by mid-level managers who are perverting your corporate goals.