Rules of Thumb for a Publishing Environment

Some may find this controversial... but, trust me, this is taken from over ten years experience in publishing, and damn near twenty years in pre-press. If any salespeople, editors, writers or designers read the following and feel offended by my remarks, I'd have to question your commitment to your field because, actually, I think the following is quite complimentary to you all.

• Salespeople are ten-a-penny, and can be quickly and easily replaced from a pool too vast for any one industry/sector. Good salespeople, who form a relationship with their clients, understand their needs, and sell the product to fit their clients' needs are like gold dust. Excellent salespeople, who do everything the good ones do and sort out their own admin are rarer still. None of them should ever be salaried, as that induces nothing but lethargy. One should never tell a salesperson that their job is easy, because the act of meeting the clients' needs while balancing the revenue needs of one's employer is both an art and a science, and very few can do it well.
• Editors and writers are ten-a-penny, and can be quickly and easily replaced from a pool too vast for any one industry/sector. Good writers and editors, who take in interest in their subject matter - whatever it may be - and strive to bring some passion to their craft are like gold dust. Excellent writers and editors, who do everything the good ones do and get their copy in on time are rarer still. Only the crappy ones should be chained to their desks. One should never tell an editor or a writer that their job is easy, because the act of writing clear and interesting copy is both an art and a science, and very few can do it well.
• Designers are ten-a-penny, and can be quickly and easily replaced from a pool too vast for any one industry/sector. Good designers, for whom the act of creating a product - be it the beautiful layout for a well-crafted editorial piece or an advertising campaign - and seeing it take physical form is the greatest reward in and of itself are like gold dust. Excellent designers, who do everything the good ones do and turn in artwork that's 100% print-ready are even rarer. One should never tell a designer that their job is easy, because the act of creating an editorial layout that is clear and pleasing to the eye, or an advertisement that truly sells its product is both an art and a science, and very few can do it well.
• One phrase that should never be uttered by any group is "You've only got a job because of me" because it is both thoughtless and just plain wrong, undervaluing the skills, talents and experience of both the individual and their group. Saying those words should be considered 'gross misconduct'.
• The best publications come from companies whose departments respect each other's part in the process and work effectively as a team.

I'm sure there's more to be added to this... but that's just my 'Thought for the Day'.