Importance of Intercultural Communication By Jay Barrett

History of Cultures Throughout history, MOST people lived and died within a few miles of where they were born They rarely had much to do with people from different cultures (backgrounds) Today is a different story!! We live in a “GLOBAL VILLAGE” (Marshal McLuhan)

Change Factors Relatively cheap transportation has reduced the barrier of distance International travel is easier for more and more people Cell phones and the internet have made it possible to meet and keep in touch with people from almost any where in the world

Changing Demographics Immigration and birth patterns have changed the ethnic makeup in the United States and other Western countries Miami, Florida is two-thirds Hispanic African Americans make up two-thirds of the D.C. population San Francisco is one-third Asian According to the U.S Census Bureau, the nation’s Hispanic and Asian populations will triple over the next one-half century By 2050 the White Non-Hispanics will represent about one-half of the TOTAL U.S. population

International Business As our world becomes, more multicultural the likelihood of working with people from different parts of the world will increase Over 10,000 foreign companies and their subsidiaries operate In the United States Eight out of the10 leading chemical companies, 9 of the 10 leading banks, and ALL of the leading construction companies are based outside the United States

North American Economy goes Global More and more Americans are working abroad Over eight million were working overseas in 2003 Many for the 3,000 U.S firms with global operations Still others work for 36,000 foreign companies in more than 180 countries