no, I've never heard of that.

I figured.

But in Germany it is used in that context, probably in the same manner as handy is used for mobile or beamer for projector.

Figures. :-) For your further amusement, have you had a look at this thread yet? related discussion: Artikel über Denglisch

Yeah, I think I've come across this thread before. :-)

"Dr Marcos Espinal is the overall coordinator of the DOTS-Plus project and focal point for tuberculosis activities in the Americas and the Russian Federation" (from http://www.stoptb.org/email/communique/Commun...)

And what about this?

Yes, a person can be a focal point, but in sport rather than business.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Striker
Centre forwards act predominantly as "targets" or the focal point of an attack; it is the duty of the midfield to supply and to assist them to score.

yes, of course, a person can also be the focal point of, say, a newspaper article or a criminal investigation, but I was simply referring to Pete's context.

@slobo: May I point out that the website your link leads to is Swiss. :-)

Point taken, dude. To me, 'focal point' in slobo's excellent example implies that the person supervises the activities. Pete's original suggestion that it is used for a simple contact person seems like sloppy English to me, but the business world is full of it.

So even though the article quoted by slobo is Swiss, is the usage of focal point in that context correct?

I've heard people use the word in exact the same context, i.e. a focal point being a person that is responsible for certain activities. That is what I meant in the first place.

I agree with dude in #7, but usage of the word in slobo's article sounds a bit dodgy to my non-native ears.

Again, I've never heard it used (in this context) in the US. It may well be a "Europeanized" version that's quite acceptable in Switzerland, Germany and who knows where else. :-)

Thanks again, dude!

But what about Europe, maybe it's used that way in England?

Yes, it is used in England as well. I read it in an internal announcement in my company.
"... will be the focal point for you and the ... team and will deal with day to day operational decision making." - written by an english lad!

In the sense of a contact person is there a focal person in BE or AE?