Often an agenda will be distributed before a meeting, so the participants will be prepared to discuss certain topics. A successful meeting is short and to the point. Be prepared to begin business immediately, with little or no prior small talk. Participation is expected in meetings. A quiet person may be viewed as not prepared or as having nothing important to contribute.
Meetings often end with a summary and an action plan for the participants to execute.
A meeting is only considered successful if something concrete is decided. Americans appreciate and are impressed by numbers. Using statistics to support your opinions will help you be persuasive. Generally, there is one negotiation leader who has the authority to make decisions. Team negotiations are rare.