Adebola Ademola

U for UPSKILLING


The question I get asked most:

"What skills should I learn to charge more?"

Here's my answer: Learn what your DREAM clients need.

Not what some random course creator says is hot right now.

The upskilling trap:
✅Collecting certificates but never using the skills.
✅Learning tools nobody actually needs. ✅Following trends instead of demand.

My approach:
I look at job posts for roles I want. What keeps showing up? That's what I learn.

Right now, everyone wants VAs who understand:
✅AI tools and automation
✅CRM management (HubSpot, Salesforce)
✅Basic data analysis
✅Content repurposing
✅Advanced calendar strategy

VAs: Upskilling isn't just about NEW skills. It's about going DEEPER in what you already do. Don't just use Asana. MASTER Asana.

Clients: If your VA is upskilling, you benefit directly. Consider covering course costs if it helps your business.

My upskilling budget: 10% of my income goes back into learning.
Some months it's a $20 course. Other months it's a bigger investment. But it's non-negotiable.

The VAs earning six figures? They never stopped learning.

What skill are you working on right now?

I’m Adebola your Executive VA & professional VA Coach, I’m currently on a series A-Z of Virtual Assistance where each letter breaks down one real skill, habit, or system every Virtual Assistant needs from beginner level to executive level.

#Upskilling #VirtualAssistant #ProfessionalDevelopment #AZofVA

4 hours ago | [YT] | 1

Adebola Ademola

Your growth doesn’t need witnesses to be valid.

Keep investing in yourself, even when the room is quiet.

Happy Growth Monday, Cheers 🥂 to a great week.

#thegrowthsummit
#virtualassistant
#growthmonday

8 hours ago | [YT] | 1

Adebola Ademola

T for TIME TRACKING


"Where did my day go?"

If you ask yourself this regularly, you need time tracking.

I resisted it for SO long. Felt like surveillance. Felt tedious.

Then I tracked my time for one week and nearly fell off my chair.

Emails: 8 hours, Actual client work: 12 hours "Quick questions" on Slack: 6 hours Social media "for work": 4 hours (ouch)

The truth time tracking revealed:
I was terrible at estimating how long things took. I was undercharging. I was spending HOURS on non-billable tasks.

VAs: Track your time even if you're on retainer. You need to know if you're profitable. If a "10-hour retainer" is actually taking you 20 hours, that's a problem.

Clients: Time tracking isn't about micromanaging. It's about transparency and fair pricing.

My favorite tools:
1️⃣Toggl (simple, clean interface)
2️⃣Clockify (free and robust)
3️⃣Harvest (great for invoicing integration)

Time tracking tips:
1️⃣Start the timer BEFORE you start the task (not after)
2️⃣Be specific with descriptions (not just "email")
3️⃣Review weekly (patterns emerge)
4️⃣Adjust your processes based on what you learn

You can't manage what you don't measure.
Do you track your time? Why or why not?

I’m Adebola your Executive VA & professional VA Coach, I’m currently on a series A-Z of Virtual Assistance where each letter breaks down one real skill, habit, or system every Virtual Assistant needs from beginner level to executive level.

#TimeTracking #VirtualAssistant #Productivity #AZofVA

1 day ago | [YT] | 3

Adebola Ademola

S - STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES (SOPs)


Let me tell you about the day my laptop died.

Everything. Gone.

Except... it wasn't. Because I had documented EVERYTHING.

SOPs saved my entire business.

Here's the truth: If it only exists in your head, it's vulnerable.

Document it. All of it.

What I document:
✅How I manage each client's inbox
✅My content scheduling process
✅Client communication preferences
✅Software login procedures
✅Monthly recurring tasks
✅Emergency protocols

VAs: SOPs make you scalable. Want to take a vacation? Hand off a client? Bring on help? You can't do any of that without documentation.

Clients: When your VA has great SOPs, you're protected. If they're sick or on leave, someone else can step in. Your business doesn't stop.

▶️My SOP template:
1️⃣What is this task?
2️⃣When does it happen?
3️⃣Step-by-step how-to
4️⃣Tools needed
5️⃣Common problems and solutions

I use Notion for mine. Loom videos for anything visual. Screenshots for complicated steps.

Is it boring to create? Sometimes. Is it worth it? ALWAYS.

What's one process you need to document but keep putting off?

I’m Adebola your Executive VA & professional VA Coach, I’m currently on a series A-Z of Virtual Assistance where each letter breaks down one real skill, habit, or system every Virtual Assistant needs from beginner level to executive level.

#SOPs #VirtualAssistant #SystemsThinking #AZofVA

2 days ago | [YT] | 5

Adebola Ademola

This Valentines


We are not just celebrating love.
We are celebrating Growth.

The greatest kind of love is the one that helps you grow.

In your relationships, your work, and your dreams — choose what makes you GROW.

Happy Valentine’s Day from TGS

#thegrowthsummit
#AI
#virtualassitant
#TGS1.0

2 days ago | [YT] | 4

Adebola Ademola

R for REPORTS & REPORTING


"So... what did you actually do this week?"
If you can't answer this clearly, we have a problem.

Reporting isn't about justifying your existence. It's about showing VALUE and keeping everyone aligned.

My weekly report includes:
📈 Tasks completed (specific wins, not vague "worked on emails")
⏰ Hours spent (transparency builds trust)
🎯 Progress on bigger projects (where are we vs. where we should be?)
🚧 Blockers or issues (what's in the way?)
📅 Next week's priorities (what's coming up?)

VAs: Good reporting makes you indispensable. It shows you are thinking strategically, not just checking boxes. Plus, it's proof of your impact when it's time to discuss rates.

Clients: If you are not getting regular reports, ask for them. You deserve to know how your investment is being used.

I send mine every Friday. Takes me 15 minutes. Saves hours of "what's the status?" meetings.

Format doesn't matter. Email, Loom video, shared doc, whatever works. Consistency matters.

Keep a "wins tracker" throughout the week. When Friday comes, you are not struggling to remember what you did on Tuesday.

How often do you report to clients? And what format works best for you?

I’m Adebola your Executive VA & professional VA Coach, I’m currently on a series A-Z of Virtual Assistance where each letter breaks down one real skill, habit, or system every Virtual Assistant needs from beginner level to executive level.

#Reporting #VirtualAssistant #Accountability #AZofVA

3 days ago | [YT] | 5

Adebola Ademola

QUALITY CONTROL


Speed is great.

But you know what's better? Getting it RIGHT.

I learned this the hard way when I rushed through a client presentation and misspelled their biggest investor's name.

On the cover slide.

In 72-point font.
😬

Quality control isn't about being perfect. It's about being CONSISTENT.
My quality checklist:
✅Double-check names and titles (especially important people!)
✅Review all links before sending (broken links = unprofessional)
✅Proofread everything (Grammarly is your friend)
✅Test processes before rolling them out
✅Verify data and numbers (one wrong decimal can be expensive)

VAs: Build in buffer time for quality checks. Don't send something at 4:59 PM that you finished at 4:58 PM. Give yourself time to review with fresh eyes.

Clients: If your VA occasionally asks for extra time to "make sure everything's perfect," that's a GOOD sign. Rushing leads to mistakes.

My rule: If I wouldn't put my name on it, I don't send it.

▶️The 5-minute quality check that saves you:
1️⃣Read it out loud (catches weird phrasing)
2️⃣Check it on mobile (formatting issues show up)
3️⃣Verify one more time (seriously, just one more look)

What's your quality control horror story?😅

We've all got one!

I’m Adebola your Executive VA & professional VA Coach, I’m currently on a series A-Z of Virtual Assistance where each letter breaks down one real skill, habit, or system every Virtual Assistant needs from beginner level to executive level.

#QualityControl #VirtualAssistant #Professionalism #AZofVA

4 days ago | [YT] | 4

Adebola Ademola

P - PROJECT MANAGEMENT


"Can you just keep track of everything?"
Sure. Let me just use my psychic powers and my magic crystal ball.

Look, project management is a SKILL. It's not just "making sure stuff gets done."
It's juggling multiple priorities, keeping people accountable, anticipating problems, and somehow making it all look easy.

My project management essentials:
✅One source of truth (Asana, Monday, ClickUp—pick one and commit).

✅Clear task ownership (who's doing what by when).

✅Status updates (weekly minimum)

✅Priority levels (not everything is urgent, despite what people think).

✅Realistic deadlines (padding time for the unexpected)

VAs: Master at least one PM tool deeply. Become the person who always knows the status of everything. That's job security right there.

Clients: Let your VA actually manage the project. Don't undermine their system by creating side conversations and shadow task lists.

The biggest project management mistake? Thinking you can keep it all in your head.
You can't. I tried. It was a disaster.

What project management tool do you swear by?

I’m Adebola your Executive VA & professional VA Coach, I’m currently on a series A-Z of Virtual Assistance where each letter breaks down one real skill, habit, or system every Virtual Assistant needs from beginner level to executive level.

#ProjectManagement #VirtualAssistant #Productivity #AZofVA

5 days ago | [YT] | 4

Adebola Ademola

Meet the mind behind The Growth Summit.

A woman driven by vision, excellence, and a genuine passion for helping VAs grow, thrive, and compete globally.

TGS1.0🔥…..Spotlighting VAs

#thegrowthsummit
#virtualassistant
#VAcoach

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5 days ago | [YT] | 5

Adebola Ademola

O - ONBOARDING


First impressions matter.

That awkward first week where nobody knows what's happening? That's an onboarding problem.

I've had clients hand me 47 passwords, zero context, and say "figure it out."

I've also had clients with beautiful onboarding processes that made me feel like a rockstar from day one.

Guess which relationships lasted longer?

Great onboarding includes:
✅Welcome packet with all the basics 🔑 Access to tools and systems (organized, not scattered across 12 emails)

✅Kickoff call to discuss goals and expectations.

✅Documentation of current processes.

✅Quick wins in the first week (small tasks to build confidence)

VAs: You can CREATE your own onboarding process. I send new clients a questionnaire before we start. What's your communication style? Preferred tools? Pet peeves? It sets us both up for success.

Clients: Those first two weeks determine everything. Invest the time upfront. Answer questions thoroughly. Make your VA feel like part of the team.

Bad onboarding = confusion, mistakes, frustration Good onboarding = confidence, clarity, results

What's one thing you wish every onboarding included?

I’m Adebola your Executive VA & professional VA Coach, I’m currently on a series A-Z of Virtual Assistance where each letter breaks down one real skill, habit, or system every Virtual Assistant needs from beginner level to executive level.

#Onboarding #VirtualAssistant #ClientSuccess #AZofVA

6 days ago | [YT] | 3