Sometimes I wonder if I'm just being too cautious. Or if everyone else has long forgotten how quickly control can become an illusion.
The Power of "God Instances"
I call them "God Instances" – platforms that control our digital lives without us having any real influence. YouTube can demonetize you with one click. PayPal can freeze your account. Google can block your access – and suddenly your business only exists on paper. No court, no contact person, just a support chat and automated responses.
The Risk of Pure Online Banking
Even more dangerous, I find, is what many consider completely normal: a company that keeps its business account with a pure online bank. Sounds modern, but it's extremely dangerous. Because when a bank that only knows you from a KYC profile decides that your risk is too high, you're out – automatically, without comment. Your money is frozen, your transfers blocked, and the chat support will get back to you "shortly". But what is "shortly" when you have to pay salaries?
The Value of Local Control
For me, a serious company requires knowing where my money is – at a local bank, with a real contact person who knows me, not just my score. I want to be able to go there, talk, argue if necessary. This isn't old-fashioned security thinking – this is healthy self-defense.
The Ignored Risk
We talk a lot about digitalization, efficiency, automation. But hardly anyone talks about what happens when the systems we blindly use simply stop serving us. Maybe I'm just scared. Or maybe I'm simply someone who prefers to keep control before the autopilot decides I need to get out.
Conclusion: Control is Not a Luxury
In an increasingly digitalized world where platforms and algorithms can decide our economic survival, it's more important than ever to be aware of where we have real control – and where we're merely indulging in the illusion of control.
Key takeaways:
- Cloud platforms can unilaterally block access or freeze accounts at any time
- Pure online banks often offer no real contact persons when problems arise
- Local banks with personal contacts provide more security for business accounts
- Convenience must not come at the cost of existential control
- Diversification and conscious risk assessment are indispensable in the digital economy
It's not about rejecting digitalization – but about using it consciously and not giving up control over the truly critical areas of our business.