Björn Vrooman Jan 6, 2018:

There is absolutely nothing(!) wrong here. Duden on fortschreiben:
https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/fortschreiben

DWDS on fortschreiben:
https://www.dwds.de/wb/fortschreiben

This word is even part of the well-respected Grimms Wörterbuch:
http://woerterbuchnetz.de/cgi-bin/WBNetz/wbgui_py?sigle=DWB&...

Literally, it means "durch Schreiben fortführen"; a more figurative meaning is "die Erfolgsgeschichte fortschreiben," as in "das Unternehmen erfolgreich weiterführen"--see below.

Wiki has the best description of the lot:
"eine Entwicklung in der gleichen Weise fortsetzen, aufrechterhalten, unverändert lassen"
https://de.wiktionary.org/wiki/fortschreiben

THIS is what they mean; I only quoted the second sense of the word because the first one as in extrapolate or predict doesn't really apply here, but that should've been clear from the context Julia provided. Never mind that the use of those words could turn awkward very quickly, e.g., if business grew by only 90% instead of 120%, you could be branded a fool despite leading a more than successful enterprise.

As for the rest: The author used an ellipsis (and omitted "das" after the comma). "Voll echter" is colloquial.

Best

gangels (X) Jan 6, 2018:

As an afterthought also let me mention that even if 'fortschreiben' were the word, it should read "Die Gegenwart erfolgreich fort'zu'schreiben beherrschen nur wahre Enthusiasten". (NO komma und besseres Deutsch wäre: ...beherrschen nur Menschen voll echter Begeisterung.

gangels (X) Jan 6, 2018:

Lancashireman Of course, it should then read: "Mit der Gegenwart erfolgreich fortschreiten". But "fortschreiben" by itself is no word at all, unlike "vorschreiben", nachschreiben", "abschreiben", überschreiben", "unterschreiben" "aufschreiben", "beschreiben", "einschreiben", "ausschreiben" etc. Ein "proficient journalist" in Deutsch könnte unmöglich diese Art von Satz fabrizieren.

Lancashireman Jan 5, 2018:

Klaus fortschreiben - transitive verb
fortschreiten - intransitive verb
https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/fortschreiten
'Die Gegenwart' is the grammatical object of the verb, hence no typo here.

gangels (X) Jan 5, 2018:

Sollte das nicht "fortschrei-t-en sein? Etwa die Gegenwart in den Fortschritt eingliedern oder als Grundlage für den unvermeidbaren Fortschritt sehen? 'Fortschreiben' kann eigentlich nur 'wegschreiben' sein und selbst das macht keinen Sinn

Björn Vrooman Jan 5, 2018:

Hello Julia Happy New Year!

I thought you had clearly provided enough context, but considering suggestions such as extrapolate and predict, I am no longer sure what to think. You did say "more than just facts and figures" + "future possibilities" + "courage to take chances".

To answer your question: "if this is an established maxim/proverb"

Not exactly, but there's a similar set phrase ([Unternehmens-]Geschichte fortschreiben):
http://forscher.de/die-erfolgsgeschichte-fortschreiben-warum...
https://www.pkf-egermann.de/Success-Stories/Success-Stories/...

The gist of it:
"If you truly believe in your capabilities/in what you are doing, you can be just as successful tomorrow [as you are today]."

Similarly:
"When you truly believe in what you are doing, it shows. And it pays. Winners in life are those who are excited about where they’re going."
https://wisdom.ninja/truly-believe-in-what-you-are-doing/

Cf item 3, "Having grit": https://www.inc.com/laura-garnett/7-science-based-habits-tha...

Best

Ramey Rieger (X) Jan 4, 2018:

Forge not merge Sorry about that.

Ramey Rieger (X) Jan 4, 2018:

Okay, Andrew, but dedication doesn't do it either, especially not in US English. Actually, enthusiasm would do quite well:
Only true enthusiasm/eagerness/zeal for the present moment can successfully merge into the future.

Lancashireman Jan 4, 2018:

Too much 'passion' in modern corporate literature "We're passionate about widgets"

Perhaps time for a correction downwards on the passion scale?

Ramey Rieger (X) Jan 4, 2018:

Only a passion for the present can successfully update the future?

Ramey Rieger (X) Jan 4, 2018:

@Julia Omit 'through', I would say, and dedication lacks the implied energy - enthusiasm is energetic/active - dedication is more long-term concentration (negatively; plodding along). Only true passion can keep abreast with the present - but this is also missing the idea of updating/enhancing the present.

BrigitteHilgner Jan 4, 2018:

Just some ideas ... I confess that I dislike the German sentence (I think it's bad German).
My immediate thought (I am an economist by training): fortschreiben = to extrapolate
They might want to say that they are successful now and they want to be as successful in future. I like the English word "passion" in this context.

Julia Burgess (asker) Jan 4, 2018:

An idea inspired by your suggestions: Only through true dedication can [positive?] momentum be successfully maintained/sustained.
Any good?

Julia Burgess (asker) Jan 4, 2018:

Motto rather than slogan + thanks for ideas so far Yes, Ramey, I think you're right that this phrase should imply something more along the lines of a proverb/aphorism than marketing slogan (in my context, at least).
Thanks for everyone's thoughts so far - much appreciated :)

Ramey Rieger (X) Jan 4, 2018:

Only true...have the power to update the now. I don't see it as too awkward for English, as it's directed towards those directly involved in the company. I see it as an inspirational motto, not as a marketing slogan for customers. Correct me, please, if this is on the wrong track.

Ramey Rieger (X) Jan 4, 2018:

Further implications are flexibility and alertness, as well as hinting at the philosophy of living in the moment.

Ramey Rieger (X) Jan 4, 2018:

Hi Julia! And a happy new year to you, too! First, as far as I can tell, it is not an established maxim. Second, I would bet a goodly sum that it refers to updating the present in the sense of keeping abreast with the present - which further implies the speed of change and the energy or dedication required to do so.