Starting a Business Relationship

We've had a few discussions on how to keep business relationships strong or how to strengthen them-- and I think that is all useful information-- but I'm wondering if anyone has advice on how to start a business relationship?  How have you forged a business relationship? 

I've found the best way to start a business relationship is simply to LISTEN. What are the person's goals, concerns, aspirations. What do you have in common? Where is there common ground? How can you  support one another? Listening is a powerful way to begin any relationship in fact.