NYSE-Sponsored FEI women's forum: 10 trends of 'Buzz'.

• Position: Conferences

Those who attended the Women's Forum in November--about 40 FEI members and guests--were captivated by Marian Salzman, chief strategy officer for Euro RSCG. Co-author of Buzz: Harness the Power and Create Demand. Salzman engaged the group with her lively and insightful visions of today's marketing trends and key influencers shaping the marketplace.

Even though the gist of the data related to retail, it was apparent how much of the trend information is applicable to every executive and every business, declared Salzman, "because: we are living in the environment of consumer empowerment."

She referred to a teeshirt in the United Kingdom that reads: "I ask only that you treat me like you treat the Queen," and described the Queen of England's shopping habits: "That gorgeous handbag she carries everywhere--is absolutely empty. She doesn't carry cash or credit cards. When she'd like to go shopping, the establishment opens up their doors 24/7/365. Shops are open when she wants to shop.

"They customize her purchases. They deliver to the palace or residence of her choice. And some little person some where, at some point, handles the financial transaction."

This consumer empowerment is vital to 10 trends shaping the U.S. and global culture that Salzman described. Each of the 10, however, create enormous challenges for businesses, she said. 1. The 1980s are back. The '80s are gone, but they may be back forever.

2. Obesity, known as "Globesity,"is America's form of global terrorism. With over 44 million Americans considered obese, it's creating havoc and great cost.

3. Forever Young. The young are getting older faster, and the old are staying younger longer. Life expectancy...