Reflecting on 2025: Gratitude, Growth & Looking Ahead
As we wrap up another remarkable year, we find ourselves reflecting on the people, partnerships, and progress that shaped 2025. One theme rises above all others: we couldn’t have done any of it without you.
Whether you are a client, candidate, collaborator, or friend of Connector Team, your trust, engagement, and honest feedback have fueled every step forward. You continue to shape our work, our growth, and our purpose, and for that, we extend our deepest thanks.
In this final blog post of the year, we’re sharing a look back at highlights, revisiting the themes that resonated most, and offering a glimpse into what’s ahead in 2026.
A Milestone That Defined 2025
Welcoming Dan Zjak as Managing Partner
A defining moment for us this year was officially welcoming Dan Zjak into a leadership role. His energy, insight, and operational depth have elevated how we consult, collaborate, and scale, especially across the furniture, design, retail, and supply-chain sectors. We’re excited for what Dan will continue to build with our clients and partners in 2026.
Top Blog Posts of 2025
Based on your feedback, these topics sparked the most conversations, inspired new ideas, and helped clients modernize their people strategies:
Why Contract Staffing Is a Scalable People Strategy
How agile talent models reduce risk, accelerate performance, and create flexibility in shifting markets.Top Talent Won’t Wait — Modernize Your Application Process
Why speed, clarity, and candidate experience now directly impact hiring outcomes.Future-Proofing the Furniture Workforce: Insights into Next Gen Engagement
What the next wave of talent values—and how retailers and manufacturers can attract and retain them.AI in Retail: Powerful Applications Transforming the Industry
From hiring workflows to POS data to DTC personalization, AI is reshaping what “efficient” looks like.
Looking Ahead to 2026
We enter 2026 with clear eyes and optimism. The furniture industry is navigating a complex environment—tariffs, inflation, shifting consumer behavior—but opportunities abound for organizations willing to adapt.
Here are the areas we’ll be doubling down on next year:
Strengthening Contract & Interim Talent Models: Helping retailers, manufacturers, and distribution centers stay nimble while maintaining performance and continuity.
Elevating the Candidate Experience: From the first touchpoint through onboarding and the first two years of employment, we’re refining tools and processes to help our clients hire and keep great people.
Leadership Development for Emerging & “In-Between” Roles: Supporting succession planning and filling leadership gaps that many organizations will face in 2026 and beyond.
Applying AI Thoughtfully Across the Talent & Furniture Ecosystem: From modernizing hiring workflows to optimizing POS and DTC experiences, AI will continue to be a differentiator for companies ready to embrace it.
As always, our goal is to keep the conversation rich, practical, and directly aligned with what you tell us you need.
Gratitude & Connection
From all of us at Connector Team Recruiting…Bill, Dan, and our team. Thank you.
Thank you for trusting us with your teams, your careers, and your ambitions.
Thank you for your resilience and partnership in a year that asked a lot of this industry.
Thank you for sharing your stories, challenges, and successes with us; they shape everything we do.
Despite the bumps of 2025, we remain confident that 2026 holds tremendous opportunities for organizations committed to talent, leadership, and growth.
If you’d like to reflect on your team’s year, build a talent roadmap, or simply talk through what’s ahead, we’re here, always.
Warmest holiday wishes and a healthy, prosperous New Year,
Bill O’Malley & Dan Zjak
Connector Team Recruiting
