People to Watch in International Business

By Julie Norwell

Emmanuel and Thomas Saujet DOLLARS AND SCENTS

International Cosmetics & Perfumes Inc. can smell a new market. In 1996 brothers and co-owners Emmanuel and Thomas Saujet of Cannes began peddling Hanae Mori, a fragrance they developed, to U.S. retailers. Ten years later, it turns more than $20 million in annual global sales. "The first three years were worse than boot camp," admits Thomas. The real coup was winning in 2004 the North American rights to distribute the much coveted fragrance brand Creed, maker of scents for the likes of Princess Grace. Emmanuel and Thomas have new titles, vice chairman and president, respectively, for the launch this year of a new fragrance and a luxury skin-care line, the latter in partnership with Brazilian plastic-surgery specialist Clinica Ivo Pitanguy.

M. Susan Chambers A PEOPLE PERSON

As new executive vice president of the people division (a.k.a. human resources) at Wal-Mart, Chambers has her work cut out for her, with the company's wage, labor and health-care policies under fire. She caught flak last year for a leaked internal memo in which she suggested controversial ways to curb spending on benefits. But Wal-Mart liked her ideas and is rolling out lower-cost health-care initiatives for employees. Chambers will focus on other HR issues, taking part in a new advisory panel on ways to foster diversity and equal-employment ops, for example. "We've spent a lot of time listening to associates to make sure we are the best employer," Chambers said. Wal-Mart's critics will no doubt remind her if that's not the case.

Hiroshi Kimura SMOKED OUT IN JAPAN

Domestic sales account for 73% of Japan Tobacco's $40 billion in revenues. But as with U.S. cigarette sellers, declining usage at home means foreign lands are the key to growth for the world's third largest tobacco manufacturer. Experience in overseas operations will help Hiroshi Kimura, Japan Tobacco's new CEO. In the face of increasing competition and shrinking demand, the company saw domestic sales drop 2.5% in the last fiscal year. Foreign sales jumped more than 11% last year, to $7.6 billion. Morgan Stanley analyst Taizo Demura forecasts a 15% jump in Japan Tobacco's overseas earnings this year. That's because Kimura, 52, is looking to Russia, Eastern Europe, Asia and other emerging markets, where smokers are more resistant to health warnings.