10 TO RESPECT: People, Things, Places 2018

The holiday season is a time of reflection for most, not least for me as I participate in festivities with friends and family both at home and around the world. I find myself thinking about the people, things and places that have made the most impact for me and I thought I would share in recognition of those that have most inspired me in 2018:

#1. Georgina Miranda, CEO She Ventures, Entrepreneur, Adventurer, Speaker & Coach

Georgina Miranda continues to be the top of my list for 2018. She is a true inspiration and demonstrates passion for her cause, determination like no other I know, and perseverance to excel even in the face of adversity. Georgina is a role model for both men and women, and especially in her quest to inspire and empower women to be all that they can be.

#2. Laura Siddall, Professional Triathlete

Laura Siddall is another true inspiration to all and especially to my 10 year old daughter, Ella who is still inspired after meeting Laura three years ago and Laura's message of 'Gumption' - a little known Northern England phrase that translates to inner strength and passion to chase your dreams and achieve your goals. Laura is one of the worlds leading triathletes competing in Iron-man events around the world.

#3. Raphael House, Family Shelter, San Francisco, California

Raphael House provides an unparalleled service to the San Francisco and greater Bay Area Community supporting homeless families, providing shelter, getting them back to work and stable housing. Inspiring Families, Illuminating Hope with Dignity and Respect. We have been proud to support Raphael House over the years and through Aramark Building Community Day (ABC Day) we have provided over 2,000 volunteer hours and in excess of $150,000 in donations to this wonderful cause.

#4. Jordan Wylie, Adventurer, Veteran, Author

Jordan Wylie has been a constant source of inspiration for me in 2018 with his support for military veterans and mental health after service and his Running Dangerously project raising funds for Children who are the innocent victims of war. Watch out for Jordan's next heroic contribution to this great cause in 2019 and his Crowd Funding page - Rowing Dangerously.

#5. Food Inspiration Magazine

Partly because Food Inspiration Magazine satisfies some professional curiosity but also explores and tests the boundaries around food and innovation and partly because it is just ultra-cool. Hans Steenbergen, Editor-in-Chief produces this stunning, educational and entertaining online magazine to help us understand the future of food.

#6. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Footballer, Goal Scorer, Interim Manager, Manchester United

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the legendary hero comes back to the greatest football club on earth, not as the 'baby faced assassin' as a player to steal the winner in the final minutes in the past but as the manager to get into the top 4 by the end of the season. After just two games he has lifted the hearts and minds and won his first two games with what seems the team relieved of the previous regime and inspired around the new. Long may his Norwegian luck continue.

#7. The WORKTECH Academy

Where industry meets research meets academia on all things related to the Future of Work. Jeremy Myerson, Chairman, leads the Academy and the efforts to coordinate global thought leadership and trends in the development of how, when and where we will work tomorrow centered around #People #Culture #Design #Place #Technology.

Philip Ross and his team at WORKTECH Events also runs events around the world including: London, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Toronto, Santiago, Berlin, Madrid, Bangalore, Sydney, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Ho Chi Minh and Hong Kong throughout the year.

#8. Richie McCaw, Rugby Player, All Black Captain, G.A.B and Inspirational Leader

Chasing Great is a documentary film about probably the greatest New Zealand Rugby Player, All Black and likely Greatest All Black (GAB) of all time. Provides insights to the world of Rugby and the tenets of #Civility #Discipline and #Respect - hallmarks of the beautiful game that make it so popular, a true world sport and a true world belief structure.

#9. The Queens Speech 2018: Queen Elizabeth II

Peace on Earth and Goodwill to all men was the essence of this years Christmas message from Queen Elizabeth. At 92 years of age, the Queen still commands the respect of the world and her wisdom prevails as she talks about unity as opposed to division, love as opposed to hate. Advice that would help many I am sure.

#10. Becoming a First Time Novelist: Operation ARGUS

Last but not least. Not for the faint hearted. Four years of writing, edits, edits, and more edits then release in June of 2018 with Amazon, IndieBound, iUniverse and Barnes & Noble. 300,000+ Words, 334 Pages, 5 Parts, and 31 Chapters. A fictional novel surrounding true events and a tale of international intrigue, deceit and #Maskirovka.

Pen Name: Willy Mitchell and a big thank you to Granddad!

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As I finish this article, I reflect on my musings and hope that if not anything else this proves a little fun for you to meander, mull over and share.

Thank you to all of those who have inspired me in 2018. Thanks to all those I have had the pleasure of working with this year. Here is to fair winds, new horizons and distant shores and an even better 2019 and beyond!

Simon J. Elliot is Vice President Strategic Partnerships at Aramark, providing strategic advisory services to Fortune 500 Business & Industry Clients in the USA and globally. Simon is a Fellow of The Institute of Directors, a Global Advisory Board Member at WORKTECH Academy. Lives just outside of San Francisco and is an active member of the #FutureOfWorkCommunity, avid supporter of Raphael House, a Rugby and Manchester United Supporter in addition to a love of great food, good life, good friends and family.