Domino and Chain Reactions
Domino is a tile-based game that features players stacking domino pieces on their ends in long lines. Then, when one domino is tipped over it causes the next domino to tip and so on until all of the pieces have fallen over. The game can be played with any number of rules and variations, and it’s popular in both casual and competitive settings. The game also has a more abstract meaning that can be applied to life: the idea of a chain reaction or sequence of events that lead to a greater result.
In the world of business, a domino effect refers to an action that leads to greater consequences. One of the most common examples is an employee going on leave, which can affect several employees and eventually impact the company’s bottom line. This is why it’s important to communicate openly with your employees so that everyone understands the impact of their actions.
The word domino is also used to describe a situation that has an effect like a chain reaction. This is a concept that can be applied to many aspects of life, including personal development and the workplace. For example, the way that a domino falls can be used as an analogy for how some learning challenges impact students. Compensating for a student’s challenge can cause the students to build skills that are different from their peers, but it can also hinder their ability to learn core concepts. This can create a “domino effect” where students are unable to develop the skills they need to be successful.
A good example of a domino effect is a task that requires a lot of time and focus to complete. If you don’t break down the process into multiple tasks, it can be easy to get overwhelmed and never finish the task. However, if you prioritize the task and devote your full attention to it until it is completed, you can see the positive impact it will have.
Domino’s was founded in 1983 by Tom Golisano, who recognized that the pizza industry was in a state of crisis. To turn around the company, he created an initiative called the Domino’s Guarantee, which promised a pizza that was “on time or it’s free.” The Domino’s Guarantee helped to significantly reduce customer turnover and improve profitability.
Despite being small and seemingly insignificant, dominoes can have a significant impact on our lives. A 1983 study by University of British Columbia physicist Lorne Whitehead showed that dominoes can actually knock down objects about one-and-a-half times their size if they are properly positioned and stacked correctly.
While the word “domino” has been in use since about 1750, it may have an earlier sense: It was once used to refer to a cape worn by a priest over his surplice. It’s possible that the domino evoked the image of this cape because of its ebony blacks and ivory faces, which contrasted with the priest’s white garment.