Starting a small business requires extensive planning and research. Planning is an ongoing necessity because the environment in which your small business operates continually changes.

New opportunities and challenges will arise that are different than those assessed during the startup stage. Your initial financial projections may be literally and figuratively on the money — or trending in a different and unexpected direction.

Here are some planning tips recommended by L-A SCORE mentor Frank DeMascola that will keep your small business on track for long-term growth.

* Revisit your business plan. Refer to it every quarter or six months to match estimates with current realities. Update your plan as needed and adjust time frames for key milestones such as expansions or new product/service lines.

* Watch those numbers. Financial statements give you a window into the health of the business. By comparing actual cash flow to your projections, you can spot ways to improve performance.

* Watch your industry. With today’s interconnected global economy, you must stay current with world and community events. Watch for shifts in demand, study your sales records and communicate with your customers, suppliers and colleagues.

* Develop relationships. Building partnerships with other businesses in your field, or using specialty consultants to help stretch your capabilities, may be a more cost-effective option than additional investment.

* Invest in your staff. Because a growing business will demand more of your time, identify those employees who can take on routine and management responsibilities. They will appreciate the opportunity to grow personally and professionally, and you will be free to focus on more important issues for business growth.

An experienced, outside perspective can benefit any small business. Contact SCORE, a nonprofit association of more than 12,000 volunteer business mentors who provide confidential counseling and low-cost workshops. In the Lewiston-Auburn area, call L-A SCORE at 782-3708 for information and an appointment; in Rumford-Mexico call 364-3123; in Oxford Hills call 743-0499. Or contact SCORE at www.SCOREMaine.org.

This column is prepared by SCORE.