In other words … Grundfos introduces English Language Handbook
Having English as the in-house corporate language, Grundfos has published an English handbook with the title "In other words …" to increase the quality of English language used between the Group's companies and with the Group's customers and co-operators.
The handbook is based on the notion that since the Grundfos name is associated with high quality and high ethical values when pumps and pump production are involved, these values also ought to apply to any material in writing sent to customers and other partners. Thus, the Grundfos corporate policy on communication states that: "High quality is therefore the only acceptable level of language and communication".
Furthermore, it is stated in the handbook that Grundfos needs a common corporate language and this language is British English. British English has been chosen because it is taught in school in many countries in which Grundfos companies operate.
English being Grundfos' corporate language does not involve English being spoken or written in all situations in the Group. On the contrary, Grundfos attaches great importance to being close to its customers and their culture and language, and thus local languages will be spoken and written in the respective countries. The message in the handbook, high language quality, applies not only to English but to all languages.
The handbook has been produced in cooperation with a number of linguistic Grundfos employees in Danish, English, German and American companies. Group Management has followed the work and backs the message of the book. Group President Jens Jørgen Madsen thus writes in the preface of the handbook that: "There is no doubt that if we can improve the quality of our communication, we can save not only time and money but even better, we can improve Grundfos' image in the market."
"In other Words …" was pre-launched at a meeting held recently between the Grundfos Group's managing directors who brought the handbook back to their respective countries. It was introduced to the Group's employees in Denmark at an in-house conference on Friday, 26 March 2004. First and foremost, the handbook is meant for all Grundfos employees frequently writing across the Group's companies, but anyone with an interest in language and high language quality may benefit from "In other Words …".
In 2002 Grundfos introduced a Danish language handbook for all of Grundfos' Danish companies and their 4,700 employees.
Source: Grundfos Holding A/S
