| If you've seen a contrast between the Mercator world | | | | Hispanic are each expected to double! By the way, as |
| map (the one most of us grew up with) and the | | | | of 2003, Hispanics are now the second largest race |
| Peters map (which shows landmasses in their true | | | | ethnic group in the country. |
| proportions to each other) ... you know that many of | | | | And not all Americans are native-born. |
| our preconceptions about the world are at odds with | | | | There was a major influx of immigrants early in the |
| reality. | | | | 20th Century, so that by 1930, 12% of the U.S. |
| [Actually, we prefer to use the Mollweide projection | | | | population was foreign-born. But by 1970, when |
| instead of the Peters. It's also equal area, but continent | | | | Boomers began entering the workforce, it had |
| shapes are less distorted ... and it's more respected by | | | | dropped to only 5%. Since then, however, it has |
| cartographers.] | | | | doubled. |
| For example, Europe seems to be somewhat larger | | | | The real change in immigration, however, has been |
| than South America and about the same size as | | | | where they've emigrated from. |
| Africa on the Mercator map. The reality (clearly | | | | During the first half of the 20th Century, the vast |
| evident on either the Peters or Mollweide map) is that | | | | majority (83%) of foreign-born Americans came from |
| South America (6.9 million sq. mi.) is twice as large and | | | | Europe. Visualize the Ellis Island scene from Godfather |
| Africa (11.6 million sq. mi.) 3 times as large as Europe | | | | II or the steerage passengers in the movie, Titanic. |
| (3.8 million)! | | | | As of 1990, however, less than one fourth were from |
| And it's not just our view of world geography that's | | | | Europe! Most of the rest have been from Asia (26%) |
| skewed, but also our view of the American workforce. | | | | and, especially, Latin America (44%). |
| Our Changing World | | | | In your father's day (or, at least, the authors' father's |
| Or, as we put it: this is not your father's workforce. | | | | day), the image of the workforce was all-American |
| A hundred years ago, less than one-fifth of the U.S. | | | | white male. |
| workforce was female. By the 1950's (in the authors' | | | | Today, native-born white males represent less than |
| father's day), it had risen to about one-third, but virtually | | | | half of American workers, and only about 25% of |
| all in support functions, what used to be called 'pink | | | | those entering the workforce! The other 75% are |
| collar.' | | | | women, people of color and immigrants. |
| Today, women represent approximately half of | | | | All of these changes can be very disorienting. [As a |
| American workers. And not just in lower-paid support | | | | native-born white male, that last statistic certainly |
| jobs, but in the professional and managerial ranks as | | | | throws one of the authors for a loop.] Some of our |
| well, and in all kinds of non-traditional roles. | | | | preconceptions just don't fit anymore. |
| Those of us who are Baby Boomers have witnessed, | | | | But how many of us are still doing business based on |
| or experienced, dramatic changes in the role of | | | | an out-of-date paradigm? |
| women. | | | | To what extent is our own behavior -- and corporate |
| But even younger generations have seen and will | | | | America's HR policies, recruiting practices, marketing |
| continue to see changes in race/ethnic demographics. | | | | strategies and management styles -- based on the |
| Had you graduated high school by 1990? If so, you | | | | assumption of a one-size-fits-all, homogeneous |
| were either in or preparing for the workforce. | | | | workforce and customer base? |
| At that time, only 25% of the U.S. population was | | | | A Riddle |
| non-white or minority, by which we mean: African | | | | Bobby and his father are in a horrible car accident, |
| American, Asian, Native American and Hispanic. | | | | which instantly kills Bobby's father. Bobby is seriously |
| By 2025, 39% of Americans are projected to be | | | | injured and rushed to the hospital. |
| minority (which is starting to become a misleading | | | | The surgeon takes one look at Bobby on the |
| designation). Virtually no change in Native Americans. | | | | operating table and says: "Oh my God! I can't operate |
| African Americans will increase somewhat. | | | | on this boy ... he's my son!" |
| But the percent of Americans who are Asian or | | | | How can this be? |