Byline: David Sterrett
After two years of slimming down Sara Lee Corp., Brenda Barnes must now show Wall Street she can do the one thing that will keep the company viable: bulk up profits.
Since taking over in February 2005, Ms. Barnes has sold or spun off 40% of Sara Lee's businesses to focus the company's U.S. efforts on meat and bread. Overseas it's pushing household and body-care lines and, especially in emerging markets like Brazil and Russia, its coffee businesses.
"She is executing a successful turnaround, and hopefully the market will start to recognize it,'' says Bob Goldin, an executive vice-president with Technomic Inc., a Chicago food consultancy.