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Former professional surfer Christo Hall has just come back from three weeks in the Maldives surfing on a charter boat while also running Basic Bananas, a marketing consultancy he runs with his wife Franziska Iseli.
![With big crowds expected at the beach today Surf Life Saving WA has issued a warning about rip tides.](/web/20161222232256im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/i/p/9/t/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gsjdjj.png/1478473394967.jpg)
"I was working a bit less than when I'm at home because the surf was distracting. But it gave me a chance to recharge and still fulfil my role in the business. I do this every year with my wife and friends. As long as we have a laptop, or even sometimes just a phone, we can continue running the business," Mr Hall said.
The couple spend about four months travelling each year while growing the business.
![Travelling entrepreneurs: Christo Hall and Franziska Iseli.](/web/20161222232256im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/j/e/q/d/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gsjdjj.png/1478473394967.jpg)
"Travelling to see family isn't a burden because we know we won't have hours of work and an overflowing inbox when we get home. Getting out of the normal work environment also stimulates your brain to think more creatively," he adds.
Aside from the annual jaunt to the Maldives, Mr Hall and Ms Iseli have run their business while traveling in a campervan throughout Europe and on the Trans-Siberian Railway across Russia. Technology makes this possible.
Mr Hall says: "I'm passionate about riding the best waves in the world. So we needed to create a business that would allow me to do that."
Google Docs is the core of the business's IT infrastructure. "Our systems and processes are recorded in Google sites, so any team member can be anywhere and access our cloud-based internal operations," Mr Hall says. "Our phone systems are over the internet and calls appear as a local call."
A cloud-based database management system helps streamline and manage the sales funnel and client communication. Basic Bananas also uses apps like Skype and Trello, a project management tool, to run businesses processes.
"The cloud-based technology means staff can also working flexibly. One of our team members recently did a four-month flamenco tour in Spain and continued to work for us as usual," he concluded.
Property tycoon Kyron Gosse runs The Freedom Investor, which offers online courses in property investing. He's also constantly doing property deals around the world and is part of a program called The Remote Year, which moves participants to a new city every month for a year. Right now, he's moving from Valencia to Sofia, and has run his business from Bali, London, the Netherlands and Morocco, even working while sleeping under the stars in the Sahara.
He runs everything from his smart phone and computer and uses cloud-based storage facilities such as Dropbox to share documents with his team.
"All my advertising is done through ClickFunnels and Wistia and YouTube take care of my video hosting needs. I have internet banking for my finances and use Xero to manage my accounts. I can do everything from a cafe in Sofia that I can do back home," he said.
Mr Gosse says being able to work from anywhere has opened his mind. He has been able to identify business opportunities he could bring home to New Zealand, as well as products and services from home he could introduce to other markets.
"It's turned my very localised business into a global business with opportunities coming in from all over the world," he said.
"My advice is to set up your business so you can operate it from anywhere from the start. Even if you don't plan on working overseas in the near future, set up the business so you can. Put the systems in place, because you never know when an unexpected opportunity might appear."
Three top tips
·        The security of your information online is paramount. So ask service providers that use cloud-based tools for testimonials and references from other clients to ensure they have a track record of keeping information safe.
·        You will need to systemise processes from the beginning if you plan to build your team. This includes effective reporting systems, so even if you are not all in the one place physically, the work will be done as expected and can be easily tracked and monitored regardless of time zones.
·        Take advantage of free trials when using online software. That way, you can see whether the resource will work in your business before you invest in it.
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