“It´s not personal, it’s strictly business.”
This famous phrase comes from what many consider to be the greatest mafia movie of all time: The Godfather. It is the shrewd Michael Corleone who says these words to his brother, Sonny, in the original:
“It’s not personal, Sonny. It’s strictly business.”
These words are spoken just before Michael meets with another mobster and a police captain at a restaurant—where he then proceeds to shoot them both dead.
Since the film’s release in 1972, this phrase has been used in meetings, negotiations, and business in general. The message is clear: business decisions should be free from emotions and independent of personal relationships. They should be based solely on cold logic and efficiency.
But in reality, that is not the case. Business is always deeply personal. Behind every business transaction and every signed contract stand individuals—driven by ambition, trust, relationships, and, yes, emotions. This is what we call personal intuition, which has served many well throughout history.
When I ask my investors at Spakur Invest what they prioritize most when selecting investments (besides returns), three things consistently come up: transparency, liquidity, and communication. Personally, I place the greatest emphasis on the latter—direct and unfiltered communication. After all, Spakur Invest publishes its performance daily, and investors can buy in or redeem their investments at any time. They can also drop by for a coffee with the fund manager whenever they like. Calls and emails are always welcome and answered promptly. Furthermore, it’s these personal interactions that cannot be replaced by computer driven surrogates.
That is why I dare to assert that, in our time—where AI is increasingly taking over various aspects of investing and business—human connection will become more valuable than ever. While AI can process data, provide insights, and even hold conversations, it cannot replace trust, personal intuition, or the depth that comes with genuine human interaction. For this reason, meetings, expos, and conferences—where people gather in person—will remain highly valuable, perhaps even more so than before. This is especially true in industries where it is important to try, touch, and experience products firsthand. A digital alternative simply cannot replace the personal element. Additionally, networking at such events creates connections and opportunities that AI-driven services cannot replicate.
I predict that as AI continues to evolve, the need for human connection will only grow. People will not allow technology to take over all conversations; instead, they will seek in-person events as an essential platform for business built on trust, collaboration, and the irreplaceable power of human interaction.
Market in Havana, Cuba. By Andrea Hitzemann.