Define: "Close of Play" in Business
High risk of unnecessary meetings
"Set your email client to delay-send the file at 5:02 PM, then immediately put your phone on Airplane Mode so they cannot reply with follow-up questions."
Frequently abbreviated as COP, a standard deadline designation indicating that a deliverableDeliverableThe PowerPoint deck we will present to prove we actually did work this week. or communication is expected before the conclusion of the normal business day.
What does "Close of Play" actually mean?
"I am disguising an arbitrary 5:00 PM Friday deadline as a polite game of British cricket so you feel guilty about heading to the pub before finishing my spreadsheet."
"Please submit all Q3 budget variance reports by Close of Play on Thursday."
"He dropped a 40-page security questionnaire in my inbox at 4:15 PM and demanded it back by Close of Play, knowing full well my shift ends at 5:00 PM."
By The Chief Waste Officer
18 years in the corporate trenches quantifying waste so you don't have to.
Related Terminology
Tired of hearing this?
Next time someone says "Close of Play" in a meeting, track exactly how much company money they just wasted. Play Buzzword Bingo, generate a waste invoice, and stop the bleeding.
