Fujita & Miura Public Relations' "Your Public Is Waiting" » For Families

FMPR Scholars: Baclig, Matsumoto, and Takenouchi Thrive

Fujita & Miura Public Relations — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 02:52:45 +0000

In 2009, we initiated the FMPR Scholar program to award scholarships to outstanding Kauai students. Since then, we’ve kept in regular contact with our FMPR Scholars and have connected them with each other in a scholar network. We continue to be so impressed with their achievements that we’ve presented an additional $500 scholarship to each of them this year as they pursue their respective goals.

Benjie Baclig has begun his third year at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. This summer, he interned at Barclays Capital in New York. Shyanne Matsumoto will soon begin her second year at Oregon State University double majoring in education and chemistry. She completed her previous semester with a 4.0 GPA. Shelcie Takenouchi graduated from USC with a master’s degree in public relations in May. She is currently working as a PR associate at Hill & Knowlton in Los Angeles.

FMPR Scholars are chosen based on several key criteria: they are Kauai residents and students who are pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees, preferably in communications or public relations; are interested in owning or working for a small business and/or home-based business; engaged in entrepreneurial activities; intend to come home to and pursue their livelihoods on Kauai after undergraduate or graduate school; are engaged in community service and wish to advance the Kauai community after college; have proven intellectual and academic achievements; show integrity of character and an interest in helping others; and have the ability to lead and the motivation to use their talents to the fullest. For more information about our FMPR Scholar program, visit our FMPR Scholar blog posts.

Win a 32 GB iPod Touch

Fujita & Miura Public Relations — Thu, 05 May 2011 00:07:59 +0000

Now thru June 30, Mokihana Insurance (Dean Toyofuku and Brad Nagano) through DTRIC Insurance is offering an exclusive auto insurance deal for all FMPR friends and their employees in Hawaii. With this deal, you’ll get:

Special Rates
Exceptional Coverage
Unique Policy Enhancements (Free DTRIC’s Deductible WipeOut and Gold Card Service)

To take advantage of this opportunity, call Mokihana Insurance at (808) 245-9573 or email stani@mokihana.net for a free estimate and mention the FMPR SPECIAL.

Individuals who receive an estimate (no purchase necessary) from Mokihana Insurance by June 30 using the FMPR SPECIAL will be entered to win a FREE brand new (4th generation) 32 GB iPod Touch sponsored by us! So, call Mokihana Insurance today at (808) 245-9573 or email stani@mokihana.net for a quote.

Say “Thank you”

Fujita & Miura Public Relations — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 23:42:58 +0000

You know that saying, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all”? Well it’s not true. There’s a phrase that comes in handy for most any occasion or incident when something not-so-nice has been said: “Thank you.” Here are a few examples.

We have an associate who has the good habit of saying “Thank you” often and at unexpected times. Even when she receives negative feedback, she says, “Thank you.” There’s never any sense of defensiveness, never any denial, just “Thank you, I’ll get right on it.” When we hear her respond in that way, it’s so pleasant and refreshing.

In our homes, both of our families have created a list of “Family Rules.” One of them is, “When you feel like complaining, say ‘Thank you’ instead.” This works great, especially for children who tend to grump about every little thing that doesn’t go their way. When they know that the Family Rule is to say “Thank you” before complaining about not having or liking this or that, it changes their mindset to one of being grateful for what they do have rather than what they don’t have.

Saying “Thank you” is a great PR tactic in business too. Sure, we all know that we should regularly thank our customers, employees, vendors, and other associates for all the good things they do for our companies. But what about the instances in which things get challenging or uncomfortable? There are times when no matter what you do, you’re unable to appease a dissatisfied customer or come to an agreement with a colleague. Instead of arguing, thank them for being honest and for sharing their feedback, and then agree to disagree in a way that is appropriate for your situation. The key to making “Thank you” work for you is to genuinely mean it (not just say it), and to walk away from the conversation being fine with not agreeing. You may not be able to give all of your constituents exactly what they want, but coming to the table with a positive, thankful mindset can do wonders for your business.

Saying “Thank you” is a key message we can all work into our daily business and personal lives. Try it in this season of Thanksgiving, make it a habit, and see the good changes it brings about.

FMPR Scholarship

Fujita & Miura Public Relations — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:28:55 +0000

In the next few months, teenagers from all over Kaua’i will be receiving acceptance letters from colleges and their parents will begin preparing to have empty nests. It will be an exciting time for many, and for some, a time of apprehension. Students will wonder what the new school year at college brings for them in terms of academic challenges and social situations. Parents will wonder how they will pay tuitions, especially in this challenging economy. But still, those who have the opportunity to pursue higher education will find a way. Fujita & Miura Public Relations would like to join those families investing in education by awarding one $1,000 scholarship to a Kaua’i student pursuing their bachelor’s degree or a graduate degree.

The selection of FMPR Scholars is based upon Kaua’i residents and students who:

Are pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees, preferably in communications or public relations.
Are interested in owning or working for a small business and/or home-based business.
Are engaged in entrepreneurial activities.
Have the intention to come home to and pursue their livelihoods on Kaua’i after undergraduate or graduate school.
Are engaged in community service and wish to advance the Kaua’i community after college.
Have proven intellectual and academic achievements.
Show integrity of character and an interest in helping others.
Have the ability to lead and the motivation to use their talents to the fullest.

Click here for an application as well as detailed instructions. Completed applications are due by April 30, 2010, and the FMPR Scholar for 2010 will be announced on June 1, 2010.

We are looking forward to learning about applicants’ aspirations and plans for the future; about how they plan to make an effective contribution to the world around them, and to Kaua’i in particular; and how they will blend their intellectual talents and concern for others to play an influential role in the betterment of society, wherever their careers might take them.

When we award our Fujita & Miura Public Relations Scholarship it will be our honor and privilege to wish that student well as they head off to college, and to demonstrate our great optimism for the future of our youth and our island.

Connect the Dots

Fujita & Miura Public Relations — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 23:01:39 +0000

We’ve just completed a round of holidays and most of us have spent a good amount of time with friends, family, and co-workers in the process of celebrating. Though holiday get-togethers can sometimes be stressful, it’s important to recognize how very important they are. “Psychology Today” recently reported that “In surveys to determine the factors that contribute most to human happiness, respondents consistently rate connection to friends and family-love, intimacy, social affiliation-above wealth or fame, even above physical health…Loneliness isn’t about being alone; it’s about not feeling connected.”

It has been said that in recent years, we are experiencing a worldwide epidemic of loneliness. People are hungry for connection and community, so it’s no surprise that social media like Twitter and Facebook have become wildly popular.

Creating opportunities for your customers, clients, vendors, and employees to connect is a great PR tactic in strengthening their relationships with each other and most simply, keeping everyone happy.

How can you create social connections in your business? Encourage employees to eat lunch together or exercise in groups during breaks. Plan social events and invite your target publics. If you have a company meeting or training, be sure it has a social component to it, a time when attendees can informally interact. Have a place in your office where employees can gather, like a kitchen or break room and make sure it has the amenities to hold at least several people (e.g., a table and some chairs). If your business utilizes Twitter, plan tweetups to get to know your followers. On a smaller scale, take the time to chat with people with whom you come into contact. Smile, be friendly, compliment them, show some interest in their lives, and just get to know them. In other words, connect.

Easy, Healthy Dinner: Roast Chicken with Vegetables

Joy — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 21:59:32 +0000

One of the first meals my mom taught me to cook is a very easy, healthy roast chicken with vegetables. When she first told me how to make it, I was amazed at how such little seasoning could turn chicken into a flavorful meal. And, there is no need to prepare an entrée and vegetable course when serving this dish as it combines the both! Here’s how to whip it up (adjust the portions to fit your needs).

Arrange boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breast on a sheet pan. Drizzle it with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Chop onions, carrots, celery (leafy parts too), and tomatoes and layer them on the chicken in the order listed. Put it in the oven at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes.

The result will be a tasty, juicy meal that will save you from slaving over a stove (to me, that’s the best part…I put it in the oven and come back when it’s done). Go ahead, try it out and leave us a comment to let us know if you liked it.

Squash Soup

Joy — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 20:42:03 +0000

In Hawaii, many backyard gardens grow the long squash that is green and can grow up to several feet in length. Long squash is especially plentiful in the summer months. Despite the heat of the season, my husband and 2-year-old son love to eat squash soup so much that they can devour it week after week. I’ve even resorted to doubling my original recipe to keep up with them! The best part about Squash Soup, above the rave reviews and nutritional value, is that it’s super easy to make and a perfect one-pot meal. So, I thought that some of you may be interested in the recipe and making it for your families. Here it is:

Ingredients:
1 squash (seeded, peeled, and chopped into 2-inch pieces)
2-4 cloves of garlic (slightly smashed, but kept in one piece)
4 slices of fresh garlic (peeled, sliced about 2 inches long, slightly smashed but kept in one piece)
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (cut in 1-inch pieces)
Beef bouillon
Oyster Sauce
Salt
Pepper

Salt and pepper the raw chicken. In a soup pot, cook chicken, garlic, and ginger in olive oil. Once chicken is cooked through, add squash and cook for five minutes. The squash will start to become tender. Add water to the pot so that it just covers the squash and chicken combination. Bring the water to a boil and add the beef bouillon, oyster sauce, and pepper to taste. Simmer for 15-20 minutes. The squash should be very soft. Serve as is or with rice (my husband and son enjoy their soup with rice). Feel free to adjust the proportions of the recipe to your taste, or to substitute pork for the chicken.

This is a simple, go-to meal in my household, and I hope that your family will enjoy it as much as mine does.

Persian Black Tea Ice Cream

Jenny — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:43:07 +0000

I’ve been making ice cream for several years now and it took awhile to get the basics down from the equipment to the technique and the ingredients. Now that I’ve mastered chocolate, vanilla, and a few other popular flavors, I’ve been delving into some new ones. One of them is unexpected and yet appears to be nearly addictive so I thought I’d share it with you. It’s Persian Black Tea Ice Cream.Joy’s roommate from college is Persian so when Joy visits her on the West Coast, she always returns with a bag of Shahrzad blended tea. Steeped for a cup of tea, Shahrzad has a rich, sweet, creamy taste all its own. But when you add cream, a vanilla pod, sugar and a pinch of salt, the flavor is exquisite.

Here’s how to make it: put the ingredients for a Philadelphia-style ice cream base (cream, milk, and sugar) into a pot, add a dried vanilla pod, a little less than one-third of a cup of the loose tea, and a pinch of salt. Let the mixture heat until bubbles just start forming around the edge. Turn it off and let it steep for about 15 minutes, then put the pot into an ice bath and let the mixture cool. When it’s cold, strain it and pour it into your ice cream maker to churn, and then freeze it.

This is a great dessert to serve on its own for a special dinner with friends. They won’t have had it anywhere else and the taste and mouth-feel are luxurious, silky and satisfying. It also makes a lovely midnight snack, which maybe you can justify since it’s packed with antioxidants.

If you have a specialty food that you’ve mastered, change it up, reinvent it. And, if you’re willing to share your recipe, post it in our comments below so we can all enjoy it.

Bon appetit!

The Perfect Gift for Everyone

Fujita & Miura Public Relations — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:25:46 +0000

As a company, we used to stress over gift-giving, wondering what gifts of appreciation we could give to our allies, friends, and family that would be well received and communicate how much we value them. As with many things, the answer came when we looked inward. Our favorite gifts were almost always things that someone had made for us or grown in their own yards. You know, those ethereal almond cookies from your friend or sewn potholders from Aunty so and so or juicy lychee from your uncle’s yard. So, we followed suit and started giving things that we make or grow. Recently, we’ve given homemade ice cream to our banker and CPA, garden harvests to each other and family members, and homemade marshmallows to friends for Easter.

Homemade and homegrown items are special when received because they’re unique; they cannot be reproduced by anyone else; they take time, effort and consideration to make or grow; and they come from the heart. In most cases, they’re also extremely economical, which is a plus in today’s economy. The benefits of giving homemade and homegrown are endless. (Please note that here on Kauai, homemade food items cannot be brought to public schools and served to children unless they are made in a certified kitchen.)

Gift giving is a direct extension of public relations because it communicates a multitude of positive feelings such as thanks, compassion, empathy, celebration, reciprocity, support and so on. The actual gift and its significance to the recipient convey to this individual how much the giver values their relationship.

Next time you need to show some appreciation for someone, whether a contractor, friend, vendor, family member, customer, or employee, try giving them something that you’ve made or grown with your own hands. Rare fruit, organic greens, mango bread, salad dressing, tropical flowers, handmade crafts, whatever. Put it in a lovely vessel and include a handwritten, heartfelt note. We guarantee it will be received with smiles and thanks.

FMPR Scholarship

Fujita & Miura Public Relations — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 17:40:57 +0000

The selection of FMPR Scholars is based upon Kaua’i residents and students who:

Are pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees, preferably in communications or public relations.
Are interested in owning or working for a small business and/or home-based business.
Are engaged in entrepreneurial activities.
Have the intention to come home to and pursue their livelihoods on Kaua’i after undergraduate or graduate school.
Are engaged in community service and wish to advance the Kaua’i community after college.
Have proven intellectual and academic achievements.
Show integrity of character and an interest in helping others.
Have the ability to lead and the motivation to use their talents to the fullest.

Click here for an application as well as detailed instructions. Completed applications are due by April 30, 2010, and the FMPR Scholar for 2009 will be announced on June 1, 2010.

When we award our first Fujita & Miura Public Relations Scholarship it will be our honor and privilege to wish that student well as they head off to college, and to demonstrate our great optimism for the future of our youth and our island.