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Sachaufgaben

English translation: day-to-day operational tasks


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16:53 Nov 23, 2009
German to English translations [PRO]
Bus/Financial - Management
German term or phrase: Sachaufgaben
Hi,
I am working on a book on corporate management. The author distinguishes between top management tasks and management tasks that are "sachbezogen" (or "Sachaufgaben") - i.e., relating to matters of day-to-day business. His suggestion for this is "subject-specific tasks" - but I seriously doubt if readers will be able to understand that.
In some chapters, "Sachaufgaben" refers to what has to be done by (managers of) the individual functions of a business organization, such as marketing, R&E, manufacturing, etc.

I am really curious to know how people here feel about this: is "subject-specific" OK, or would you strongly advise against it?
How would you translate "Sachaufgabe", "Sachebene" etc.? Could it be "operational"? But then again, operational management is usually contrasted with "strategic" rather than "top management".


(FYI, the book addresses managers in European countries outside Germany, not necessarily only in the U.K., as it will probably not be translated into other languages.)
Jutta Scherer
Germany
Local time: 19:01
English translation:day-to-day operational tasks
Explanation:
I think "day-to-day operational tasks" expresses the idea you have described.

I don't think "subject-specific tasks" would be correctly understood. The word "subject" is not helpful here. Perhaps "department-specific tasks" would work.
Selected response from:

George Alexander
United States
Local time: 13:01
Grading comment
Thank you, George! I could convince the author and we will use "operational" now.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +3day-to-day operational tasksGeorge Alexander
4 -1subject-specific tasks
Dr Lofthouse


Discussion entries: 3





  

Answers


0 min   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): -1
Sachaufgaben - subject-specific tasks???
subject-specific tasks


Explanation:
sounds correct to me

Dr Lofthouse
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in ItalianItalian

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  mary austria: Pure dictionary-speak!
2 hrs
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26 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +3
day-to-day operational tasks


Explanation:
I think "day-to-day operational tasks" expresses the idea you have described.

I don't think "subject-specific tasks" would be correctly understood. The word "subject" is not helpful here. Perhaps "department-specific tasks" would work.

George Alexander
United States
Local time: 13:01
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thank you, George! I could convince the author and we will use "operational" now.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  mary austria: Day-to-day is fine with me.
1 hr
  -> Thanks for the support, Mary
agree  Steffen Walter: Perhaps even "technical tasks (and responsibilities)" but "day-to-day operational tasks" sounds fine as opposed to general, high-level management responsibilities. Another possible term is "line management responsibilities" but I'm not too sure about it.
3 hrs
  -> Thanks, Steffen. I associate "line management" with supervision of subordinates--perhaps that's too limited here.
agree  Nick Golensky
15 hrs
  -> Thanks!
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Changes made by editors
Nov 23, 2009 - Changes made by Heart:
Term askedSachaufgaben - subject-specific tasks??? => Sachaufgaben


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