Book excerpt: In Business Simplified, former business executive, Michel A. Bell demystifies business with simple, helpful ideas from his experience and research. Business is about people. The right people unified in the correct positions, headed in the proper direction to delight customers and create value for stakeholders. Straightforward, practical solutions from Michel's vast global business experience and research will enable cooperation, pinpoint suitable path to gain customers for life, and build shareholder value. Further insights to design and implement strategies for a competitive edge appear throughout the book. Michel cautions against so-called five-yearly strategic plans, which usually excludes tough choices - the essence of strategy - necessary to steer the entity to its mission.