Geschäftsführer - "Directors" or "Management"

English translation: Management

09:28 May 1, 2015
German to English translations [PRO]
Bus/Financial - Management
German term or phrase: Geschäftsführer - "Directors" or "Management"
I would like to pick your brains, esteemed colleagues.

When translating the Impressum for a website of business document, how do you like to handle "Geschäftsführer"? It's one of these DE>EN terms which causes debate. I generally opt for "Directors" over the general term "Management", what do you think?

I appreciate any input and expert opinion.

Thanks in advance,

Paul
Teutoniq
United Kingdom
Local time: 11:16
English translation:Management
Explanation:
If the term "Geschäftsführer" is used in the plural, as I assume since you asked about "Directors" as one of your options, I tend to go with "Management" since "Directors" tends to refer to the board of the company rather than the people actively managing the company. If, however, you are using the term as a title for an individual, I agree with the earlier suggestion of "Managing Director" for most small companies, especially, since they tend to have several "Geschäftsführer" and you have no idea, who is in charge of what.
Selected response from:

Kirsten Kohlwey
United States
Local time: 05:16
Grading comment
Thanks Kirsten. I agreed with Sunbirdholidays too but should have indicated in my question that the word was being used in the plural. I appreciate everyone's input!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +3managing director
sunbirdholidays
4managing directors
Vladimir Trkovnik
3General manager, CEO, Director, etc.
Kirsten Bodart
3Management
Kirsten Kohlwey
Summary of reference entries provided
Donald Jacobson

Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


3 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
managing director


Explanation:
Geschäftsführer = managing director

sunbirdholidays
Germany
Local time: 12:16
Native speaker of: German

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Donald Jacobson
1 min

agree  Diana Obermeyer
8 mins

agree  Kathi Stock
9 hrs
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9 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
managing directors


Explanation:
My suggestion

Vladimir Trkovnik
Croatia
Local time: 12:16
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in CroatianCroatian
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11 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
General manager, CEO, Director, etc.


Explanation:
The Geschäftsführer is generally the person who represents and acts for the company personally, but in English this person can have many names, depending on the preference of the company itself.

'Director' is not often used in this meaning (directors are usually members of the board who appoint either a director from among them or someone else to take care of the company's everyday management), but the term can be used in this way, especially in small companies if there is only one director/shareholder in the first place.
CEOs are usually employed by big companies.

I would see what the client prefers, or failing that, what you personally think it should be, depending on what size the company is. I mean, CEO makes no sense if the company only employs 4 people...

Kirsten Bodart
United Kingdom
Local time: 12:16
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in DutchDutch, Native in EnglishEnglish
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2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
Management


Explanation:
If the term "Geschäftsführer" is used in the plural, as I assume since you asked about "Directors" as one of your options, I tend to go with "Management" since "Directors" tends to refer to the board of the company rather than the people actively managing the company. If, however, you are using the term as a title for an individual, I agree with the earlier suggestion of "Managing Director" for most small companies, especially, since they tend to have several "Geschäftsführer" and you have no idea, who is in charge of what.

Example sentence(s):
  • Management reserves the right to update this statement.
Kirsten Kohlwey
United States
Local time: 05:16
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thanks Kirsten. I agreed with Sunbirdholidays too but should have indicated in my question that the word was being used in the plural. I appreciate everyone's input!
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)




Reference comments


3 mins
Reference

Reference information:
leitender Geschäftsführer →Chief Operating Officer <COO>
stellvertretender Geschäftsführer →Deputy General Manager (DGM)
kaufmännischer Geschäftsführer →commercial manager
More translations from Dict.cc© 2002 - 2009 Paul Hemetsberger

Donald Jacobson
United States
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 4
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