For the last year and a half, the Chicago-based National Marine Manufacturers Association, a group representing 1,400 pleasure boat product companies, has sailed rough waters. In response to declines in membership dues, show-space sales and other revenue, the 167-employee NMMA first cut 13 staff in February 2008. In November, there was another round of cuts. The boom lowered in January of this year when the group was forced to reduce the wages of its remaining 90 employees by 10 percent. While NMMA isn’t alone—a host of other associations have cut staff and pay—a few of the group’s measures to maintain morale are unique. Kate Plush, NMMA’s director of human resources,… Read More