Marlene's credentials
A leading-edge visionary who has had a tremendous impact on the lives of the 1,000's of people whose paths she has crossed, Marlene B. Brown is the founder and owner of MarmeL Consulting Firm, Sunrise Publishing International and TechnoTouch Marketing. Marlene specializes in helping corporations and associations move their people into the new millennium with enthusiasm, passion, and focused purpose. Her many client testimonials speak well of her success.

A much sought-after speaker with two decades of experience, Marlene has spoken at Conferences and Conventions in over 45 states and 6 different countries to date. Her company mission is to provide top-quality service and on-going value that exceeds and anticipates her customers needs and expectations, by presenting ideas designed to positively and productively influence their thoughts, their actions, their bottom lines, and their futures.

Marlene is a member of the National Speakers Association; World Future Society; American Marketing Association; Institute of Management Consultants; Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce; and Rotary International. Check out some other recent pictures.

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How Futurists Predict:

Discussions with fellow consultants and strategists in the role that business futurists play resulted in the following. Business futurists and marketing strategists are constantly reading, researching, and studying the trends.

Information = facts or data. Understanding = grasping the significance of data. Knowledge = certainty of data. Wisdom = proper evaluation of the relative importances of data. Responsibility = a willingness to do, or not do, and to be accountable for the results. Wisdom and responsibility are necessarily companions. Once data is obtained and validated, it must be understood. Only when it is fully grasped, with an understanding of how it relates to the greatest good, can it be called knowledge.

Knowledge is not always static, and needs to be renewed from time to time. Certain data will always be true, others will change with the growth of such things as population or technology. Information by itself is sterile, becoming powerful only when a creative linkage is formed between information and application. When, where and how information can be leveraged to make a quantum leap in solving a pressing problem or a number of problems is what futurists strive to do for their clients.

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Marlene's bio background
Born on a farm in Upstate NY, Marlene is a graduate of Utica College of Syracuse University and SUNY Cortland. She began her professional life as an innovative Senior English and Psychology teacher. She is a former adjunct professor, and an instructor for the American Management Association. She went on to raise a family of five, and found and manage three businesses.

Marlene is one of only 15 select professionals in the world to hold the combined CSP/CMC designations. The CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) is awarded by the National Speakers Association. The CMC (Certified Management Consultant) is awarded by the Institute of Management Consultants. Both are earned degrees awarded only after extensive verification by designees, their clients, plus written and oral exams.

One of the Founders of the National Speakers Association's International Center for Professional Speaking, Marlene founded NSA's Professional Emphasis Group for Technology, and Chaired NSA's first ever Technology Learning Lab.

With a Master's degree in Communication/Education/Psychology and advanced work in Business Management, Marketing, and Sales Skills, Marlene is a prolific writer who has authored numerous books, articles, audio & video training programs, her own theme song, a trend-setting quarterly newsletter, electronic publications, and software programs.

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Marlene's accomplishments
Marlene has walked her talk in meeting the challenges in her life. She went up in a hot air balloon to overcome her fear of flying, and walked on the bottom of the ocean to overcome her fear of water. Although she was a techie neophyte eight years ago, she has innovatively embraced technology, change, and the future, and now shares that knowledge in her speaking engagements and with her consulting clients.

When not consulting, speaking, or writing, Marlene can be found improving her technological skills, playing the keyboard, spending time with her children, or enjoying her grandchildren. She loves to read and research, write, listen to music, dance, meditate, and work out. She says, "My greatest accomplishment is, and always will be, my 5 very special and talented children -- Brad, Vanessa, Christina, Melanie, Stacy -- and 4 prescious grandchildren -- Jeremiah Elias, Josha Nova, Rachel Marie, and Trevor James."

A professional who clearly has her priorities in order, Marlene's new and timely concepts will help stimulate you and your people to recognize the trends in your industry, turn your vision into action, and even enjoy the process!