JAIMS logo

To print: Click here or Select File and then Print from your browser's menu.

*********************************************************
This information was printed from the JAIMS Web site located at:
http://www.jaims.org
*********************************************************

Fall 2001, Vol. 22, No. 2

 

Dispelling the Myths of Entrepreneurship

This past spring, Yuka Nagashima, president and CEO of LavaNet, Inc., paid a visit to JAIMS to speak about her experiences as a successful entrepreneur in Hawaii.

  With her experiences building up LavaNet for seven years, Nagashima discovered that there are two myths about starting a business. One myth, according to Nagashima, says that to start a business you need a lot of money.   Yuka Nagashima
Yuka Nagashima, LavaNet president and CEO

–There are always people who have money they want to invest,” she said. –Itês not that hard.”

The other myth is that you need to have a brilliant new idea for a business. –Your idea doesnêt have to be new,” Nagashima explained, –it doesnêt necessarily have to be brilliant. You just have to have good implementation. What you need for any business is good implementation and good people.”

LavaNet has always adhered to what may be considered as nontraditional business practices. Influenced by the local Hawaiian culture as well as her own Japanese culture, Nagashima encourages staff participation in many levels of decision making in order to build the feeling of Ohana, or family, within the company.

An example of this would be LavaNetês hiring practices where applicants are screened by a staff group interview and where applicantsê references are given more weight than educational degrees.

–We at LavaNet look more at an applicantês experience and potential more than anything elseãeven degrees,” said Nagashima, who holds a degree in physics rather than business.

For anyone who finds themselves at a disadvantage due to education, gender, or anything else, Nagashima offered these words, –Being an entrepreneur means that when you encounter a problem, you donêt see a problem, but you see an opportunity. If you are faced with a disadvantage, turn it around and see what you can do and use that to your advantage.”

To the aspiring entrepreneurs in the audience, Nagashima also advised that money should not be the reason to start a business.

–If youêre going to start a business, youêve got to love what you do and that in itself should be a reward. Itês a lot of hard work, but you do it because you consider it funãif you donêt consider it fun, I donêt advise that you get into it.”

LavaNet is Hawaiiês largest locally owned Internet service provider due in part to Nagashimaês leadership. LavaNet sells high speed and traditional Internet services to the general public, including businesses, Hawaii state offices, and schools.

Nagashima, herself, was named a finalist for the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur Award in 1999 and has been featured in numerous magazine and newspaper articles, such as –Women Who Mean Business” and –40 Under Forty,” an award celebrating the accomplishments of young business people.

JAIMS Crowned Champion of Industry on National Television

Those tuned in to the right time and station this summer, were able to view a television program featuring JAIMS as a –champion of industry.” JAIMS was honored to be featured by the Champions of Industry video series known for featuring –the best and brightest companies in todayês global marketplace.” The video series aired on the Fox Cable News Channel to a nationwide audience on August 2, 2001 at 7:30 a.m. Hawaii Standard Time.

Hosted by Pat Summerall, the video series showcases –companies and organizations who stand apart in their respective fields due to their goals, commitments, and achievements.” JAIMS was notified it was chosen for this honor earlier this year and video segments were shot on location last April. The segment featured shots of the JAIMS campus and interviews with students, administration, and business community leaders.

For those who were unable to tune in, the video is available at IndustryView.com under –Champions of Industry.” In addition, visitors to the JAIMS Website can view the JAIMS video segment online.

Building JAIMSê Legacy
A Message from JAIMS President Glenn Miyataki

Dear alumni and friends,

For nearly 30 years, JAIMS, as a product of Fujitsuês foresight, has been bringing people together¾from different cultures to study how to do business¾in each otherês country.¾

Next year marks JAIMSê 30th anniversary, and we have much to¾celebrate and¾share.¾¾The¾30th anniversary celebration allows us to thank Fujitsu, our many supporters, and our partners who have helped to make JAIMS what it is today.

In commemoration of¾the 30th anniversary celebration, we are launching a two-year educational endowment¾campaign to¾raise funds to help students and to perpetuate¾academic enhancements.¾ A campaign brochure has been included with this issue, and we hope that you will take some time to read¾about our goals and become motivated to help us in building this endowment. Often, any small margin of help can bring an esteemed scholar or executive to our shores.

Finally, we owe a large part of our success to the JAIMS staff who are focused on providing –Total Excellence” to our students and clientele.¾ Although the journey has been challenging, the satisfaction gained from seeing our alumni and the many fine companies they work for is more than ample reason to keep striving through dedicated teamwork.

I hope you will join all of us in celebrating the 30th anniversary at the Alumni Conference planned for the first week in July 2002.¾¾It will be wonderful to see our alumni¾come home to JAIMS, and¾to have our friends join us in this historical event.

With kindest regards and aloha,

Glenn Miyataki

JAIMS 30th Anniversary Calendar

The following calendar is tentative as of September 2001 and is subject to change.

November 2001
An –anniversary announcing event” in Japan hosted by JAIMS Japan Office

April or May 2002
Special celebration event(s) in Japan hosted by JAIMS Japan Office

April 2002
A special open house at JAIMS begins the 30th anniversary celebrations in Hawaii and will showcase the JAIMS campus and programs

July 2002
Alumni Conference, 30th anniversary celebration conference dinner, JAIMS endowment fund campaign, etc.

October 2002
A large-scale community service project, such as –Make a Difference Day,” for the local community

November 2002
A special celebration event hosted by JAIMS Japan Office in conjunction with 2001-2002 JEMBA/CHEMBA graduation that would culminate the celebration in Japan

Leadership for the New Economy

This past spring, JAIMS students were pleased to welcome Vice Admiral Robert Kihune as a guest speaker for a special session on –Leadership for the New Economy.”

Currently a trustee of the Kamehameha Schools, Kihune had much to say to the audience of students and staff on the qualities of leadership.

–Leadership really is an invisible strength,” Kihune said. –It really is as mysterious as is powerful. Leadership is colorblind. It doesnêt care whether youêre black, yellow, white, or what. There is no gender bias. You can be a woman and be a leader, as well as you can be a man and be a leader.”

Kihune wanted to stress, especially to the students in the audience, the qualities of what he believes makes a leader.

–If you want to be a leader, first of all you must have the trust of the people,” he said, –you have to have their confidence that you will be working for them. Secondly, you have to have the integrity to do what is right. If you cannot do what you think is right, donêt compromise.”

Mr. Hideto Kono, Vice Admiral Kihune, and Dr. Fujio Matsuda
(Left to right) Mr. Hideto Kono, Vice Admiral Kihune, and Dr. Fujio Matsuda
  Also in the audience, were special guests Dr. Fujio Matsuda and Mr. Hideto Kono, both former presidents of JAIMS whom Kihune referred to as examples of leaders who paid their dues in order to reach the level of success they have attained.

Vice Admiral Kihune was born on Maui, and is a graduate of the Kamehameha Schools and the U.S. Naval Academy. He retired from the U.S. Navy after serving 35 years. He currently serves as a trustee of the Kamehameha Schools, the CEO of Sandwich Isles Communications, Inc., and the president of the USS Missouri Memorial Association.

Fujitsuês Full-Tuition Scholarship Available for Up-and-Coming Global Managers

<font face="Times,Times New Roman"><font size="2" class="caption">Liwei Kimura</font></font>
Liwei Kimura, CHEMBA-3

On July 1, 2001 the Fujitsu Asia Pacific Scholarship (Fujitsu Scholarship) program began accepting applications for the 2002-2003 program. Scholars from Hawaii and selected countries of the Asia-Pacific will receive full-tuition and a stipend toward living expenses for postgraduate education and cross-cultural management training available at JAIMS and the University of Hawaii at Manoa (UHM) College of Business Administration (CBA).

Established in 1985 by Fujitsu Limited, the Fujitsu Scholarship is available for three programs:

The JEMBA and CHEMBA program is a cooperative venture of JAIMS and the UHM CBA. The ICMP program is exclusively offered by JAIMS. These programs focus on cross-cultural studies, communication and language skills, and business strategies relevant to their country of study: Japan, China, and the U.S. respectively.

As a reflection of Hawaiiês own cultural diversity, scholars have come from many countries in the Asia-Pacific to study in Honolulu. The scholarship is available to citizens of several countries: Australia, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam (special conditions apply to citizens from China, Myanmar, and Vietnam). In addition, the scholarship is also available to the residents of the state of Hawaii.

Roxanne Kam, manager of academic services at JAIMS, believes that the Fujitsu Scholarship is a key opportunity for up-and-coming managers from Hawaii to excel in the global market. –With Hawaiiês location between the East and West, Hawaii residents should definitely take advantage of the Fujitsu Scholarship and enroll in one of the MBA programs, JEMBA or CHEMBA,” Kam said.

With over 200 Fujitsu Scholarships awarded in the last 16 years, many companies in the U.S. and overseas have hired past scholars. Included are companies recognized as global leaders in their industry such as Johnson & Johnson, Hewlett-Packard, Goldman Sachs (Japan) Ltd., Citibank Hong Kong, Honda R&D Co., Ltd., Edward Jones Investment, Cisco Systems (USA) Pte. Ltd., and Sun Microsystems.

Individuals who wish to apply for the Fujitsu Scholarship will need to submit all relevant application materials by October 31, 2001. For more information, please visit www.fapsp.com or contact your local affiliated Fujitsu office.

Congratulations...

to JAIMS staff member Sachiko Burke who recently became JAIMSê new Human Resource Development Specialist.

JAIMS Designated Honolulu TOEIC Open Test Site

Individuals who wish to take the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) now have the opportunity to do so at JAIMS. JAIMS has been given the distinction of being the Honolulu TOEIC Open Test Site by TOEIC Services America, L.P. The TOEIC, the worldês most recognized English language test, will be administered at JAIMS on September 29, November 3, and December 1, 2001.

With more than 1.9 million TOEIC tests administered each year, there has been a growing demand for Open Test sites across the U.S. In response to this, TOEIC Services America, L.P. has been actively looking for new Open Test sites, designating just one site for most U.S. cities. JAIMS joins the ranks of 16 other Open Test sites across the U.S. with this distinction.

The TOEIC allows individuals to assess their ability level and to monitor their progress in learning English. In addition, the TOEIC provides an internationally recognized Certificate of Achievement credential demonstrating English proficiency to companies, employers, colleges, universities, and International English Programs.

The fee for taking the TOEIC is $65. For registration information, you may call TOEIC Services America, L.P. at 607-748-9500, e-mail info@toeic-usa.com, or visit their Website at www.toeic-usa.com. Individuals who complete the test will receive the Official TOEIC Score Report in addition to the official diploma quality TOEIC Score Certificate.

No Job Too Big for JAIMS Career Services

JAIMS has begun to offer career services to students and alumni who seek a competitive edge in the global business arena. Although still in its early stages, JAIMS Career Services will soon offer job search assistance, job bulletins, job skills workshops, and career resources.

Not only will students and alumni receive help in finding employers, but alumni with established businesses will be able to search for employees through job-posting services provided by JAIMS.

To take advantage of the Internet, JAIMS Career Services plans to provide all information online for JAIMS students and alumni in the near future.

If you have any questions or would like to take advantage of JAIMS Career Services, please e-mail , call 808-396-7127, or fax 808-396-7112.

Global Business Knowledge a Few Clicks Closer

Launched in July 2001, new online applications now allow prospective students to apply to JAIMSê ICMP, JEMBA, or CHEMBA programs from their own home. In addition, applicants may also go online to apply for the Fujitsu Asia Pacific Scholarship Program, a full-tuition scholarship sponsored by Fujitsu Ltd.   Apply Online

While additional materials such as the supporting documents must still be mailed in, the online applications help to streamline the process for both the applicants and recipients. For more information on application requirements and deadlines, please visit the JAIMS Website at www.jaims.org or the Fujitsu Asia Pacific Scholarship Program Website at www.fapsp.com. If you have any questions regarding the online applications, please e-mail .

Calendar

September 29, 2001
TOEIC Test Held at JAIMS

November 3, 2001
TOEIC Test Held at JAIMS

December 1, 2001
TOEIC Test Held at JAIMS

Coming up in 2002...
JAIMS 30th Anniversary!

ICMP: A Mechanism for Personal and Global Change
by Linus Kan, Academic Programs Manager

The Intercultural Management Program (ICMP) influences its participants to a point where it may be more aptly called the Internal Change Mechanism Program. Since its inception, hundreds of participants, in their search for knowledge and experience, have passed through the ICMP at JAIMS. In the process, participants have opened themselves to concepts and perspectives which provide them with a new outlook on their professional and even their personal lives. This –internal change mechanism” is what makes the ICMP special.

This twice-yearly, four-month, postgraduate diploma program has evolved into a program that imparts intercultural training and practical workplace skills in addition to business management knowledge. Each term, the curriculum is updated to include the most pertinent and saleable skills and knowledge. For example, –Project Management” and –Information Technology Trends & Strategic Planning” courses were added in the Fall 2000 term to reflect the current demands in business.

The Spring 2001 ICMP Class
The Spring 2001 ICMP Class

ICMP faculty is comprised of academicians and working professionals, thus bringing a balanced exposure of theory and real-world experience to the classroom. In addition, many ICMP participants embark on a two-month internship through the eight-credit Business Exchange Program study option. Each term, interns apply their knowledge and skills in a variety of organizations throughout the United States. Subsequently, a few have been very fortunate to be offered full-time employment at their internship companies.

Outside the classroom, participants are treated to an abundance of activities to build upon their global business education. Participants can never forget sinking knee-deep in soft mud while helping a local Hawaiian community tend their taro patch, then playing in the cool mountain waters. Nor will they forget the educational visits to cutting-edge businesses, followed by whirlwind shopping trips in Waikele.

Probably the most unexpected yet most appreciated benefit of being in ICMP is being a part of the tight-knit JAIMS family. ICMP participants form lasting friendships with classmates, students from other programs, instructors, host families, members of the local community, and JAIMS staff. Many alumni visit JAIMS to rekindle fond memories and to catch up on news of old friends.

With this range of quality education, experiences, and friends, ICMP participants have had experiences they will never forget wherever they may go in business or in life. In 2002, we expect many to return and share news of their successes when JAIMS celebrates its 30th anniversary.

A Unique ICMP Class Moves On

An especially rousing ceremony took place on July 26, 2001 to congratulate the latest Intercultural Management Program (ICMP) class on their successful completion of the four-month program at JAIMS.

This Spring 2001 ICMP class was the first in JAIMS history to be composed primarily of women. Ten men and 19 women walked down the aisle to receive their certificates before an audience of faculty, staff, and friends.

Awards were also bestowed upon students who displayed exemplary performance during competitions and throughout the term. Miwako Morishima was awarded first place for the Business Plan Competition. The team of Masaki Ono and Lei Zhao won first place for the Business Research Competition. Morishima, Ono, and Zhao each received a cash prize and will have their names engraved on perpetual plaques.

The Francis A. Wong Award for Leadership went to Joo Hee Kim. The Funika Scholarship was awarded to Hasnan Hakim and the Studentês Choice Award was presented to Satoshi Shibata.

Shibata later gave the student address to close the ceremony. Perhaps to further make this ICMP class unique, Shibata led the audience in a stirring karaoke-style sing-along to a modified version of –Canêt Help Falling in Love” specially tailored to JAIMS.

  Satoshi Shibata
Satoshi Shibata (left) receiving the Studentês Choice Award from JAIMS President Glenn Miyataki

While the closing ceremony marked the beginning of some ICMP graduatesê careers, others have continued with JAIMS in the Business Exchange Program (BEP) where they interned with American business firms or organizations in the U.S. for two months.

Student Perspectives:

Joo-Hee (Joy) Kim

Joy-Hee Kim  

The experiences Iêve had in Hawaii and at JAIMS helped me to find another hidden part of myself.

From all my body and heart, I felt the –beauty of great composure” while in Hawaii.

I enjoyed learning new business areas from the classes I attended for the last 4 months at JAIMS; and now, I feel that my knowledge on business management has increased both theoretically and practically. I wish to utilize this knowledge in my work in Korea to expand and enhance my capabilities.

Iêm going to commit myself to overcoming the challenges of the world and becoming a leader in the 21st century.

Delphine Vþnuat

Delphine Venuat   I came to JAIMS in an exchange program. My school in France, Reims Management School, has an agreement for two years with JAIMS to send a student here in spring. I am here for a total of four months and the credits I obtain are used to fill my diploma requirements.

When I first arrived at JAIMS, I did not expect such a cultural mix. I came here with the idea of attending some business classes in English in an American environment. But JAIMS also gave me the opportunity to meet a third dimension: Asia. This especially interested me in terms of teamwork. I discovered with surprise that some French ways of working were closer to Japanese or Korean ways of working than to American ones.

One of the major differences I found here when compared with France is the way of dispensing classes. I am the youngest student here! I am 23, and most of my classmates are around 30 years old with more experience at work than I have. In France, I expect the teacher to give me basic business knowledge in a lecture. The classes here are more interactive. Everyone has something to teach to everyone. As a result I like to compare these courses with seminars more than with lectures.

Last but not least, the very open-minded environment here allows people to really share their knowledge with each other. We work together without competition with the same goal: to become rich with intercultural experiences at the end of the session. And I really like that ideaÄ

Farewell to the 2000-2001 JEMBA and CHEMBAs

On July 27, 2001, the 2000-2001 Japan-focused MBA (JEMBA) and China-focused MBA (CHEMBA) class celebrated their completion of one year of studies at JAIMS and the University of Hawai'i at Manoa College of Business at Manoa.

Within the elegant surroundings of the Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hawaii, this class of 23 students bid their farewells to staff, faculty, and friends at the annual farewell Aloha Luncheon.

Guest speaker, Curtis J. Milhaupt, Fuyo Professor of Japanese Law and Legal Institutions and director for the Center for Japanese Legal Studies, imparted some last words of wisdom to the JEMBA and CHEMBA students.

Following Milhauptês speech, JEMBA student, Collin Miyamoto and CHEMBA student, Joanne Chang, presented a lighthearted slide show reflecting on the past yearês camaraderie shared between the participants.

Collin Miyamoto
Collin Miyamoto, winner of the Francis A. Wong Award for Leadership
 

Awards were then given to students who excelled in their classes and in the final weekês competitions. The JEMBA Speech Competition grand prize and the honor of being commencement speaker went to Jae-Hyun Kim. For the CHEMBA Speech Competition, the grand prize and commencement speaker honor was awarded to Ann-Marie Campbell.

The Francis A. Wong Award for Leadership was bestowed upon Collin Miyamoto for his –promising entrepreneurial skills as evidenced by demonstrative initiative and leadership qualities during his attendance as a student of JAIMS.”

The students, with classes now completed, have embarked on perhaps the most significant portion of their JEMBA and CHEMBA year: the internship. Students are currently undertaking a three-month business internship at a company in Japan, China, or the U.S., many hoping to attain permanent positions at the companies. Such companies include Citibank, PricewaterhouseCoopers Consultants Co., Ltd., Northwest Airlines, AIC Corporation, and The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan.

This year's class is the eleventh JEMBA class and the fourth CHEMBA class to complete their studies. The next class of JEMBA and CHEMBA has already begun their studies in August 2001.

Welcome to the 2001-2002 JEMBA and CHEMBAs

On August 6, 2001, the largest group of Japan-focused MBA (JEMBA) and China-focused MBA (CHEMBA) students were greeted at the annual welcome Aloha Luncheon held by JAIMS and the University of Hawai'i at Manoa College of Business at Manoa.

Attending the event were faculty and staff as well as guest speaker, John Creech, president of Snap-on Tools Japan K.K. Creech, who had studied for his MBA while running his company, had some practical words of advice for the new students.

–Donêt focus on memorizing information,” Creech said. –Probably the most important thing you should learn is how to get information and how to utilize it in your future job.”

Students have brought with them the experience from many diverse industries including international affairs, aerospace, telecommunications, information technology, education, and finance.

Consisting of 26 students, this 2001-2002 JEMBA and CHEMBA class represents 10 countries: Australia, Hong Kong, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, and the U.S.

After finishing their twelve-month course work in Honolulu, they will leave for a three-month business internship at a company in Japan, China, or the U.S. in August 2002.

Internship Companies

This past summer the 2000-2001 class of JEMBA and CHEMBAs as well as the ICMP Spring 2001 class completed their studies and embarked on their internships. The internships are key factors to the studentsê success; many past students have found employment due to their experiences at their internship companies.

Listed below are participating companies where students are currently serving their internships. ICMP internships last for two months and JEMBA and CHEMBA internships last for three months.

JEMBA

McCann-Erickson
Fujitsu Ltd. (Southwest Asia Department, Asia-South Pacific Business Division)
TriWorks Corp. Japan
ImaHima, Inc.
Costco Wholesale Japan, Ltd.
Boeing Company
Citibank, N.A.
Fujitsu Ltd. (Sales & Marketing Department, Telecom, North America)
Queenês Medical Center
Goldman Sachs
AIC Corporation
Fujitsu Ltd. (Business Development & Alliance Department, Global Marketing Division)
Nifty Corporation
XCAT Co.
Fujitsu Ltd. (Global Carriers Department, Global Solutions Division)
Capital Servicing Co., Ltd.
Mazda Motor Corporation
Americo Co., Ltd.

CHEMBA

U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service, U.S. Consulate, Shanghai
Ion Global
International Business Incubator

ICMP

Bay Area Economic Forum
Japan-America Society of Chicago
Sodexho Marriott Services
Clear Blue Hawaii
Imada Wong Communications Group
Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hawaii
Cenquest
Sheraton Waikiki Hotel
Prismark Partners SyMech
Adobe Systems
Starbucks Coffee (Hawaii)
Infopia
Arts Bridge
JapanWorks
MediaSolv Inc.
Hubrisonline
Leap Frog, LLC
Fujitsu Computer Products of America

Aloha

We wish the best for friends who have recently left the JAIMS staff:

Chao Ying Bossert
Instructor, Business Mandarin Language Program

Sachiyo Fujita
Library Information Science Specialist

Yuko Kato-Gast
Instructor, Business Japanese Language Program

M. Patrice Oppie
Office Assistant and Receptionist

Hana Tateishi
Instructor, Business Japanese Language Program

Margaret Yamashita
Instructor, Business Japanese Language Program

We would also like to welcome our newest staff members to the JAIMS family:

Hiromi Kelley
Instructor, Business Japanese Language Program

Mary Kimura
Program Assistant

Kayoko Ross
Instructor, Business Japanese Language Program

Natsuko Tateishi
Instructor, Business Japanese Language Program

Chenshan Tian
Instructor, Business Mandarin Language Program

Special Thanks

This year marks the launch of the JAIMS Endowment Fund (you will find a brochure included with this issue of Global Horizons). JAIMS would like to thank the campaign honorary chairs and the members of the steering committee for their assistance in making the JAIMS Endowment Fund a reality.

Campaign Honorary Chairs

Hideto Kono, JAIMS President, 1988-1994
Fujio Matsuda, D.Sc., JAIMS President, 1994-1996

Steering Committee

Kazuhiro Arai, ICMP-98S
Wee Seng Chan, JEMBA-7
Liang Gang
Edward Y. K. Kim, JEMBA-9
Mian Alentajan Lacson, JEMBA-6
Young-Doo Lee, JMP-14
Tim Qiang Liu, ICMP-96F
Christine Mai•i, JEMBA-7
Temboon Meemeskul, JEMBA-6
Yoshihiro Nishi, AMP-93S
Iris R. Okawa, Esq.
Vincent Ong, JMP-17
Gregory E. Rattþ, JMP-12
Yoshikazu Sekiguchi, Ph.D, AMP-3
Osman Nuri Sozkesen, JMP-11
Toshihiro Sunohara, AMP-3
Fermin Taruc, JEMBA-7
Taketsune Watanabe
Tjandra Widjaya, ICMP-99S

Co-Chairs

John Cheuck, JEMBA-3
Koshiro Kitazato, JAIMS Vice President, 1972-1975
Kyoko Someya, ICMP-98S