Personnel means "a group of persons." Personal involves a particular person, an individual."This is a personal matter involving Judy and me." "The personnel in this office is very friendly." Personal is pronounced "PUHR-suhn-uhl"; personnel is pronounced "puhr-suh-NEL." The expression "personal friend" is usually wordy; it is possible to have as a business friend someone who is not necessarily a personal friend, but such instances are rare. How many friends can one have who are not personal? See also material.
Dictionary of problem words and expressions. Harry Shaw. 1975.