Throughout 2025, Rob Kirkbride’s weekly Insider editorials explored the ideas, challenges, and opportunities shaping the contract furniture industry. As we close out the year, here are the five pieces that stood out most with readers. 

Building Business Relationships the Right Way 

In a growing world of digital communication tools, this editorial reminds us that real business success still hinges on authentic relationships, cultivated through trust, consistency, and a willingness to show up in person. Whether over lunch, at industry events, or on-site visits, relationships remain the cornerstone of long-term success in our industry.  

It Is Your Job to Sort Through an Overload of Information 

In the age of boundless content and data, experts emphasize the importance of filtering what matters most so you can make better decisions and lead with clarity. Too much information can overwhelm even seasoned professionals, making strategic prioritization and discernment essential skills going into 2026.  

The Importance of Experimentation 

Creativity and progress don’t come from doing the same thing again and again. This piece champions a culture of experimentation, trying new ideas, learning from missteps, and using small tests to spark meaningful innovation. It’s a call to shake off fear of failure and embrace the insights that only real experimentation can yield.  

Ready or Not, AI Is Coming 

Whether you’re fascinated or cautious, one thing is clear: AI is transforming the way we work and think. This editorial explores how AI tools are already influencing daily tasks, organizational decision-making, and even product development, and why professionals who engage with rather than ignore this shift will be better positioned for the future.  

Celebrating the Women Who Contribute So Much to the Industry 

Representation matters. This editorial highlights the remarkable contributions of women across roles and careers, from design to leadership, and celebrates the voices that enrich our industry. It’s both a tribute and a reminder that broader representation strengthens the entire community. 

Each of these editorials offers a lens into the trends and values that defined 2025, from human connection and experimentation to the thoughtful adoption of new technologies and a continued focus on representation, equity, and belonging.