Frank Schwab

I help navigate digital transformation

Tomorrow's Money

Lighter than paper, faster than PayPal, cheaper than Visa, rarer than gold, and as secure as Fort Knox.




I've been fascinated by the concept of money for the past 37 years, ever since I began my apprenticeship at Deutsche Bank.


Beyond health, time is life's most valuable resource. Money can buy you time, and to some extent, even health. These are the primary reasons for my interest in money. The more money you possess, the more you can prioritize your life and use your time as you choose.


And I'm deeply interested in the future, because that's where I will spend the rest of my life. This interest drove me to write a book titled 'Tomorrow's Money.'


'Tomorrow's Money' is lighter than paper, faster than PayPal, cheaper than Visa, rarer than gold, and as secure as Fort Knox.


In 19 chapters, I share my views, insights, and beliefs about tomorrow's money, which, in essence, is digital and comes with new features like programmability.


If you haven't encountered this topic yet, my book might be a good recommendation for your summer reading.


It's available in both English and German.



🇬🇧 https://amzn.to/3r97JiG


🇩🇪 https://amzn.to/3mKNyEG






#tomorrowsmoney #crypto #blockchain #bitcoin 




#SundayThoughts 




FrankSchwab.de

Published in SundayThoughts, all on 30.03.2025 16:26 Uhr. 0 commentsComment here

Buy „Made in Europe“


Given today's volatile geopolitical climate, for the first time in my life, I feel the need to actively defend the democracy in which I was raised. While we might think individuals can't make a difference, I believe that's incorrect. Through our daily decisions, we can collectively make a huge impact, for example, by directing how we spend our money.


Indeed, we all can support European democracy daily by prioritizing European products and services. Our economic choices as EU citizens carry significant weight. By prioritizing EU-produced goods and services, we directly strengthen our Union's strategic autonomy, reducing dependence on potentially unreliable external sources. This bolsters our resilience against global disruptions.


We, as individuals, uphold the EU's high standards for environmental protection, labor rights, and consumer safety through our purchasing decisions. Choosing EU-made products directly supports these values, fostering a sustainable and ethical economic model.


Significantly, every EU citizen's choice matters. Supporting EU businesses fuels innovation and long-term prosperity. The resulting economic benefits are reinvested within our Union, creating jobs and supporting essential social programs.  


In essence, each purchase we make is a vote. We can each contribute to a more secure, sustainable, and prosperous Europe by consciously choosing EU products and services. This collective action reinforces our shared values and strengthens the European project for future generations.


Now is the time. Support European Values. Buy „Made in Europe“.  🇪🇺🇪🇺🇪🇺


Here a community-driven directory that helps you buy European products and services, based on personal recommendations.


🔗  https://www.goeuropean.org/




#Europe #MadeInEurope 




#SundayThoughts 




FrankSchwab.de

Published in SundayThoughts, all on 23.03.2025 9:30 Uhr. 0 commentsComment here

Bundestagswahlen in Deutschland 2024 / Federal Elections in Germany 2024




Demokratie lebt von Mitbestimmung – und Deine Stimme macht den Unterschied! Gehe wählen und stärke damit unsere Freiheit, unsere Demokratie und unser Europa.


Nur ein starkes Deutschland kann ein starkes Europa mitgestalten. Gemeinsam stehen wir für Frieden, Stabilität und eine Zukunft, in der wir international bestehen können.


Lass Deine Stimme nicht ungenutzt – entscheide mit über die Zukunft! Wählen gehen! Jede Stimme zählt! 🇩🇪🇪🇺




Democracy thrives on participation – and your vote makes the difference! Go vote and strengthen our freedom, our democracy, and our Europe.


Only a strong Germany can help shape a strong Europe. Together, we stand for peace, stability, and a future in which we can succeed internationally.


Don't let your voice go unheard – have a say in the future! Go vote! Every vote counts!🇩🇪🇪🇺




#vote #democracy #germany #Europe 





#SundayThoughts 




FrankSchwab.de

Published in SundayThoughts, all on 23.02.2025 6:30 Uhr. 0 commentsComment here

Learning


My life has been a long journey through the halls of learning, a journey that has spanned nearly half my existence. Four years in primary school, ten in secondary, two at banking school during my apprenticeship, seven at university, and then finally, two more at business school – the sheer number of years dedicated to formal education is staggering. Did I emerge from this academic marathon overflowing with knowledge and wisdom? The honest answer is, I'm not sure.


While school and university undoubtedly laid the foundation, teaching me how to learn and preparing me, in a general sense, for life, I've come to a perhaps surprising conclusion. My most profound learning experiences haven't necessarily been those where I sat passively absorbing information. Instead, they've occurred when I've been actively engaged in sharing and creating knowledge.


The years I spent lecturing on creativity and innovation management, as well as information systems, at both Mannheim and Wiesbaden Business Schools were transformative. Preparing lectures, engaging with students, and answering their insightful questions forced me to explore deeper into the subject matter than I ever had before. The act of explaining a concept to someone else, of breaking it down and rebuilding it in a clear and accessible way, solidified my own understanding in a way that simply reading about it never could. It was in the act of teaching that I truly learned.


This realization was further reinforced by the process of writing two books. The solitary act of wrestling with ideas, of shaping them into coherent narratives, was an intense and deeply rewarding learning experience. The research, the writing, the editing – all of it demanded a level of engagement and critical thinking that pushed me beyond my intellectual comfort zone. The act of creating something new, of putting my own thoughts and insights into words, was a powerful catalyst for growth.


Looking back, it seems clear to me that teaching and writing are, perhaps, the highest forms of learning. They demand not just the passive absorption of information, but the active processing, organizing, and sharing of it. They force us to confront the limits of our own understanding and to push beyond them. It is in the act of giving that we truly receive, and it is in the act of creating that we truly learn.





#learning #teaching #writing 




#SundayThoughts 




FrankSchwab.de

Published in SundayThoughts, all on 16.02.2025 9:30 Uhr. 0 commentsComment here

The Paradox of Fresh Air and the Frustration of Sustainable Ideals


Every winter evening, I used to open my bedroom window, hoping for a breath of crisp, clean air before sleep. It was a simple ritual, meant to refresh the room. Now, however, that simple act has become a frustrating reminder of the disconnect between our collective sustainability goals and the realities of individual choices. Instead of invigorating freshness, I'm often met with the acrid smell of wood smoke, a clear indication that my neighbors are fueling their homes with fireplaces. It's a small thing, perhaps, but it strikes me as utterly absurd, especially given the constant barrage of discussions surrounding sustainability, CO2 reduction, and the urgent need to protect our environment.


This personal frustration is amplified by my professional life. As a member of bank supervisory boards, I'm deeply involved in implementing increasingly stringent ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) rules and regulations. These regulations, often driven by political mandates and supervisory authorities, are designed to push large corporations towards more sustainable practices. Yet, the smoke drifting in through my bedroom window feels like a direct contradiction, a symbol of how difficult it is to translate these top-down mandates into tangible changes at the individual level. It feels doubly frustrating to be tasked with enforcing these rules while witnessing such a blatant disregard for environmental concerns in my own neighborhood.   


I've been passionate about sustainability for a long time. Even back in my student days as a business informatics major at the University of Mannheim, I was actively involved in "Wirtschaft und Umwelt," a student organization focused on environmental and economic issues. So, the concept of sustainable living isn't new to me. What's become painfully clear, though, is that rules and regulations, while necessary, are simply not enough. They can only be effective if they're supported by a widespread commitment to sustainable practices at every level, from large corporations to individual households.


Our own home, thankfully, stands as a small counterpoint to the wood-burning trend. For the past 16 years, we've heated and powered our house with geothermal and solar energy. Sustainable alternatives exist and are viable. It's not about grand gestures; it's about making conscious choices in our daily lives.


The smoke in my bedroom isn't just an annoyance; it's a metaphor for the challenge we face. We need a more holistic approach to sustainability, one that bridges the gap between lofty policy goals and the everyday actions of individuals. Until we address this disconnect, the dream of a truly sustainable future will remain just that – a dream.





#esg #sustainability #dream 




#SundayThoughts 




FrankSchwab.de

Published in SundayThoughts, all on 09.02.2025 9:30 Uhr. 0 commentsComment here

More entries

© Frank Schwab 2025