7-Step Change Framework
The Argylestone 7-Step Change Framework
A structured, strategic approach to making change stick.
Change in recruitment and people-led businesses is rarely straightforward. With fast-paced delivery, legacy systems, and limited internal support, it's no surprise that many transformation efforts stall, overwhelm teams, or miss the mark entirely.
That’s why I developed the Argylestone 7-Step Change Framework, a practical, proven approach designed specifically for operational change in recruitment and service-based businesses. It balances strategic thinking with real-world execution, and ensures that change is not only well planned, but also embraced, embedded, and measured for impact.
Whether you’re implementing new systems, refining processes, shifting your operating model, or building a more resilient culture, this framework helps you navigate change with clarity and confidence.
Why It’s Structured This Way
Change doesn’t happen in one leap and not every organisation needs the full journey right away.
That’s why I’ve broken the framework into four flexible service offerings. Each one targets a specific phase of the change lifecycle, allowing you to start where it makes sense for your business:
- Diagnostic Audit → Understand your current reality
- Change Planning Facilitation → Decide what to fix, and how
- Full Change Implementation → Deliver sustainable transformation
- Quarterly Health Checks → Maintain momentum and measure results
Whether you need a one-off diagnostic, help prioritising your next move, or an expert partner to lead full-scale delivery, these services are designed to meet you where you are and take you further.
7-Step Change Frameworks - Service Modules
1. Diagnostic Audit
2. Change Planning Facilitation
2. Change Planning Facilitation
Where are we now?
What It Is:
A 4–6 week diagnostic engagement using Steps 1–3 of the framework to map current operations, uncover friction points, and identify areas of opportunity.
Who It’s For:
Recruitment agencies and operational teams looking to understand performance bottlenecks, process duplication, or readiness for transformation before making investments.
What’s Included:
- Process walk-throughs and job shadowing
- Systems usage and data integrity review
- Friction and root cause analysis
- Prioritised list of improvement opportunities
- Stakeholder map and pain point heatmap
- Visio or Miro process maps
- Executive insight report (with “where to focus” guidance)
Outcome:
Clarity on what’s working, what’s not, and where to invest effort. Used as a standalone review or as a foundation for deeper change planning.
2. Change Planning Facilitation
2. Change Planning Facilitation
2. Change Planning Facilitation
What should we do next?
What It Is:
A 2–4 week programme focused on Steps 3–5, designed to turn insights into a structured, prioritised change plan with input from your team.
Who It’s For:
Businesses with identified issues or ambitions that need help prioritising, road mapping, and prototyping change before full implementation.
What’s Included:
- Prioritisation matrix and workshop
- Alignment with commercial, cultural, and operational goals
- Early design sessions for pilot initiatives
- High-level communication and support plan
- Implementation roadmap (phased)
Outcome:
A practical, phased change plan with quick wins, long-term targets, and a clear rationale for sequencing. Ideal for teams needing direction and structure.
3. Full Change Implementation
3. Full Change Implementation
3. Full Change Implementation
Let’s make it happen.
What It Is:
A 12–16 week engagement covering all 7 steps of the framework from discovery to delivery and measurement, managed by Argylestone Consulting.
Who It’s For:
Companies ready to make significant changes across systems, processes, team behaviours, or operating models and want expert guidance from start to finish.
What’s Included:
- Full 7-step programme
- Embedded workshops, training, and coaching
- Phased rollout with pilots and user feedback
- Internal communication and stakeholder management
- Adoption tracking and reporting dashboard
- Post-implementation learning and improvement loop
Outcome:
Sustainable change that’s designed well, rolled out smoothly, and measured continuously. Built for transformation, not just tactical fixes.
4. Quarterly Health Checks
3. Full Change Implementation
3. Full Change Implementation
Are we still on track?
What It Is:
Ongoing support using Step 7 of the framework to review, measure, and improve change efforts. Delivered quarterly as a retained engagement.
Who It’s For:
Businesses who’ve implemented change and want to ensure it’s delivering ROI, being adopted, and evolving with the business.
What’s Included:
- Success metrics review (KPIs, adoption)
- Stakeholder pulse checks and feedback
- Progress against change roadmap
- Recommendations and action plan
- Coaching support for project leads or team managers
Outcome:
Keeps change alive, avoids regression, and gives leadership confidence in sustained impact.
Additional Services - recruitment transformation; business
Business Optimisation Assessment For Recruitment Firms
Business Optimisation Assessment For Recruitment Firms
Business Optimisation Assessment For Recruitment Firms
. Cut costs. Scale with confidence.
If your recruitment agency is wasting time, leaking money, or struggling to scale, this service is for you.
My Business Optimisation Assessment is a focused 4–12 week consultancy designed to transform how your agency operates. It uncovers where you're losing time and money, and shows you how to fix it.
Whether it's clunky processes, underused tech, or hidden performance gaps, we’ll help you:
- Cut costs by eliminating duplication and inefficiency
- Unlock growth by improving workflows, automation, and performance
- Maximise tech by aligning your systems to business needs
- Drive results with tailored recommendations and a clear roadmap for change
You’ll receive a fully documented report, complete with process maps, diagnostic insights, and Phase Two recommendations, everything you need to optimise operations and scale with confidence.
This is ideal for agencies with 50–500 staff, particularly those: Struggling with inefficiencies or inconsistent performance
Looking to scale into MSP or RPO services Experiencing delays in candidate placement or underused systems
This service pays for itself by improving efficiency, increasing revenue, and setting your business up for scalable success.
Operational performance review For SME - any sector
Business Optimisation Assessment For Recruitment Firms
Business Optimisation Assessment For Recruitment Firms
Streamline. Save. Scale.
If your business is held back by inefficiencies, missed opportunities, or growing pains, this service is for you.
My Operational Performance Review is a 4–12 week consultancy programme designed to sharpen how your business runs. We dig deep into your day-to-day operations to identify what’s slowing you down, costing you money, or limiting your potential and provide a clear plan to turn things around.
Whether it's manual workarounds, disconnected systems, or unclear responsibilities, we’ll help you:
- Reduce waste by removing bottlenecks and streamlining operations
- Improve agility by refining processes, workflows, and team structures
- Leverage technology by aligning systems and tools to actual business needs
- Accelerate performance with targeted recommendations and a practical roadmap
You’ll receive a detailed report, complete with process visuals, performance diagnostics, and Phase Two recommendations, everything you need to move forward with confidence and clarity.
This is ideal for SME businesses with 50–500 employees, particularly those:
- Experiencing growing pains or preparing for the next phase of growth
- Dealing with inconsistent output, siloed teams, or resource misalignment
- Using multiple tools or platforms with limited return
- Wanting independent, expert insight into how to drive better business outcomes
This service pays for itself by improving productivity, enabling smarter decisions, and building the foundation for long-term, scalable growth.
Strategic Workforce Assessment FOR SME - Any Sector
Business Optimisation Assessment For Recruitment Firms
Management Coaching & Mentoring For recruitment firms
Clarity. Insight. Strategic Value.
When your end client is exploring an MSP or RPO solution, this four week assessment gives them the strategic insight they need and positions you as their trusted partner.
Delivered by an experienced third-party consultant (that’s me), with all costs passed through to the client, this service evaluates the effectiveness of their current recruitment approach across five critical areas:
- Processes – Review of sourcing, time-to-hire, DEI, attrition, and agency usage
- Candidate & Hiring Manager Experience – Insights into bottlenecks, drop-offs, and engagement
- Workforce Planning – Assessment of how well HR/TA align with business demand
- Supplier Performance – Analysis of agency contribution and delivery against KPIs/SLAs
You receive a full report with evidence-based recommendations, helping your client make informed decisions about future workforce strategy — and supporting you in securing or expanding MSP/RPO services.
Management Coaching & Mentoring For recruitment firms
Management Coaching & Mentoring For recruitment firms
Management Coaching & Mentoring For recruitment firms
Confidence. Capability. Commercial Impact.
Great managers don’t just appear, they’re developed. This programme helps your people grow into confident, strategic leaders who drive performance and support business growth.
Delivered through focused 1:1 or group sessions, it blends practical coaching, critical thinking tools, and structured feedback to build leadership capability at every level.
Key Areas of Focus:
- Decision-Making & Critical Thinking
Strengthen problem-solving and strategic thinking using frameworks like SWOT and root cause analysis.
- Balancing People & Performance
Coach leaders to make commercially sound decisions without losing sight of culture and team wellbeing.
- 360-Degree Feedback
Gain full visibility of leadership strengths, gaps, and behaviours through structured multi-source feedback.
- Ongoing Mentorship
Support high-potential leaders with long-term mentoring to navigate challenges and grow into future roles.
Deliverables:
- Tailored Development Plans with clear goals, skills focus, and measurable milestones
- Regular Coaching Sessions to tackle real-world issues and build leadership confidence
- Mentoring Frameworks that provide structure, accountability, and long-term growth
Whether you're preparing your next generation of leaders or supporting current managers to step up, this service helps you build a resilient, high-performing leadership pipeline.
Change Management Support for SME - ANY SECTOR
Management Coaching & Mentoring For recruitment firms
Change Management Support for SME - ANY SECTOR
Guidance. Structure. Successful Delivery.
Whether you need full-time support or part-time advisory input, I provide expert change leadership to help you deliver recruitment transformation projects with confidence.
From system rollouts to operational redesign, I support your teams through every phase offering best practice guidance, identifying risks and pitfalls, and helping you navigate the human side of change.
What You Get:
- Strategic Advice on planning, execution, and stakeholder engagement
- Risk Management to avoid common delays and budget overruns
- Practical Tools & Templates to structure delivery and communication
- Hands-On or Advisory Support tailored to your programme’s size and pace
This service ensures your change programme stays on track aligned to goals, delivered on time, and embedded for long-term success.
Advisory for recruitment firms
Management Coaching & Mentoring For recruitment firms
Change Management Support for SME - ANY SECTOR
Expertise. Clarity. On-Demand Impact.
Already mid-transformation and hitting roadblocks? Whether you're short on resource, unsure how to engage providers, or don’t know what 'good' looks like, I can help.
With over 20 years’ experience in recruitment and a background as a COO, I bring deep operational and commercial expertise to guide you through critical decisions.
Whether it’s a few hours of strategic input or hands-on support across a few days, I step in where and when you need it.
What You Get:
- Expert guidance on supplier selection, process design, and transformation roadmaps
- Commercial insight to help you ask the right questions and challenge assumptions
- Flexible support tailored to your needs — no long-term commitment required
It’s never too late to bring in the right support. I’ll help you regain control, make confident decisions, and move forward with clarity.
Documents and Process Mapping for SME - ANY SECTOR
Documents and Process Mapping for SME - ANY SECTOR
Documents and Process Mapping for SME - ANY SECTOR
Clarity. Structure. Transformation-Ready.
You can’t transform what you haven’t mapped. Before any change programme begins, understanding your current “as-is” state is critical, but lacking the time or in-house skills to document processes properly can hold everything back.
I offer hands-on support to map your workflows clearly and accurately, identifying bottlenecks, duplication, and inefficiencies, giving you the visibility you need to make informed decisions and prove ROI.
What You Get:
- Professional process maps using tools like Visio, tailored to your business
- Operational insight to spot inefficiencies and risks early
- A strong foundation for future transformation, automation, or tech rollouts
This service gives you the structure and clarity needed to move forward with confidence and evidence.
Bespoke Solutions
Tailored Support
Flexible. Bespoke. Built Around You.
More and more of my clients are from outside of the recruitment and staffing industry but seeking to optimise their business and remove unnecessary admin and processes.
I can help you!
Not sure exactly what you need? Or looking for something more bespoke?
All of my services can be tailored to suit your bu
Flexible. Bespoke. Built Around You.
More and more of my clients are from outside of the recruitment and staffing industry but seeking to optimise their business and remove unnecessary admin and processes.
I can help you!
Not sure exactly what you need? Or looking for something more bespoke?
All of my services can be tailored to suit your businesses unique challenges, whether it’s a one-off project, retained support, or something entirely different.
Let’s talk through your goals and see how I can help.
📅 Book your free 30-minute consultation today using the link below.