Which stage does the business lifecycle NOT typically include?

The business lifecycle typically encompasses stages that represent the evolution of a business over time, from its inception to eventual closure or transformation. These stages include Startup, Growth, Maturity, and Decline. Each of these stages reflects the business's development, challenges, and strategic objectives at different points in its existence.

Outsourcing, however, is not a stage in the business lifecycle; rather, it is a business strategy that companies may employ at various points during their lifecycle. Outsourcing refers to the practice of delegating certain business processes or functions to external parties, which can occur in any stage of the lifecycle as a tactical choice to improve efficiency or reduce costs. It does not represent a fundamental phase of a business's development but rather a tactical operational choice that may be adopted by businesses throughout their existence.