Be glad that you have a job with a good company and think long and hard before you "jump" because six months from now the "slow down" may become more like a "crawl." I don't foresee a recession like in the early '90s, but the slow down will be deep enough that virtually no one will be meeting sales goals—or pocketing big bonuses. Your company's move to cut bonuses is annoying, but it's hardly an atrocity. Management probably decided to bolster its cash reserves in advance of a potentially protracted chill down. This move may have been a sincere effort to avoid layoffs. It's unlikely that management just chose to upturn its payment philosophy.

On to greener pastures: Yes, there will always be other jobs, but are they good, secure ones? Don't forget that the newest hires also are the most vulnerable to layoffs. In general, dealers will hire anyone who's breathing—and let them go when they don't meet their draw. Unless you have a very established client base, relocating to a dealer is not a wise move in a slow economy. As for other manufacturers—remember, everybody is in the same boat. First assess how your employer stacks up. The most important measure is sales volume because that usually represents job security even in a slow down. That should help you decide whether or not to stay put . . . if I were you, I would.

I truly hate my boss! He is a micromanager who steals credit for everything and never acknowledges how hard anyone works in our (interiors) department. On the other hand, I love my company, a prestigious architectural firm that's won every industry award (dinner or breakfast) going. But my boss gets to climb the podium—claiming credit for work he's been out of touch with since the Eames chair was born. I want to make my workday bearable, and I also want to cultivate my career. But my boss seems like too much of an obstacle.
Down in NYC

At the risk of psychoanalyzing, your anger sounds more like frustration that you're not yet an "industry icon," whereas your boss is recognized as a heavy-hitter. Most big-time achievers have done something meaningful—if your boss is so highly regarded, then you want him to be your ally, not a nemesis. So, my first piece of advice is to stop focusing on the negative—i.e., your hatred—and concentrate on building your portfolio and skills. In terms of cultivating your career, let me ask you this: How much of a career do you really have yet? Have you been responsible for a project from start to finish? If the answer is "no," you're still a beginner. If the answer is "yes," remember nearly anyone can run a project. Being a "rainmaker"—someone who attracts clients to a firm—is what distinguishes icons (or credit-grabbing egomaniacs, if you will). They understand that if you can't hook the business in the first place, it doesn't matter how good a designer you are. This rainmaking ability entitles a principal to glom some of the credit—especially if his or her name is on the door. Take advantage of the fact that you're working at the industry's hottest firm—which is probably the best way to build a foundation for going off on your own.