Joining SAP as the head of its French subsidiary in 1988, he never worked on creating the firm's software, but only sold it, becoming its chief salesman in 2002.

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"I have talked to many investors who said that they are waiting for a change, " Arroyo says, already sounding like her country's salesman in chief.

FORBES: There will be no midnight cabinets

"We're a bond in drag, " laughs Garry Ridge, the stocky 42-year-old chief executive, a onetime traveling salesman from Australia.

FORBES: Johnny One-note

But all that may be changing under Garry Ridge, the stocky 42-year- old chief executive, a onetime traveling salesman from Australia.

FORBES: Greasy Coca-Cola

Mr. Lautenberg was the company's first salesman, and served as its chairman and chief executive.

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The other is its newfound marketing hustle: Its chief executive since 1999 is Crispin Davis , formerly a soap salesman.

FORBES: Double Dutch No Longer

Witness the success of that salesman par excellence, Mr Berlusconi, now Mr Amato's chief foe.

ECONOMIST: Giuliano Amato, Italy��s agile stopgap