BUSINESS OBSERVER

+ Keller Williams’ Mastro named Member of the Year
The Sarasota Chapter of the Women’s Council of Realtors named Mary Mastro its Realtor Member of the Year. Mastro is a real estate consultant with Keller Williams Realty Sarasota-Lakewood Ranch.

Mastro serves as secretary for the WCR Sarasota Chapter, and is active in the Keller Williams Agent Leadership Council and KW Cares. She holds the Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource designation, Transnational Referral Certification and Senior Real Estate Specialist designation.

WCR is a network of successful Realtors empowering women to exercise their potential as entrepreneurs and industry leaders.

Keller Williams Realty Sarasota-Lakewood Ranch is located at 6710 Professional Parkway W., Lakewood Ranch.

For more information, contact Mastro at 586-2402 or [email protected].

Chamber completes unemployment survey

The Manatee Chamber of Commerce conducted in November a survey of members and manufacturers. Its purpose was to gauge business opinions on the unemployment compensation system in Florida, which underwent important changes in the 2011 legislative session.

Summary results include:
• 55% have had an employment compensation hearing;
• 54% were satisfied with the judge’s decision;
• 68% did not have an unemployment “expert” represent them;
• 40% believed the unemployment compensation system to be fair (conversely, 40% did not);
• 87% recommended more assistance/representation in the hearing process be provided.

“Our organization remains committed to advocating for private-sector job creation as well as exploring ways to reduce the impact of unemployment compensation taxes (which we have to borrow from the feds) on business owners,” said Chamber President Bob Bartz.

The minimum unemployment compensation rate is increasing from $72.10 in 2011 to $171.70 in 2012 per employee and the maximum rate is jumping from $378 in 2011 to $459 in 2012 per employee.

“This, coupled with a 10% workers’ compensation increase and the lack of available capital for expansion purposes, negatively impacts our 2,000 members looking to grow or just stay in business,” Bartz said.

Bartz highlighted the 87% of respondents who needed help in arbitration process.

“It is indicative of knowing how the system works,” he said. “More importantly, if the 68% that did not have a professional represent their company hired an expert, the outcome may very well have been different.”