A domino is a flat, thumb-sized rectangular block with one to six dots, or pips, on each end. Its value is determined by the number of pips it has; a domino that features six pips has a higher value than a domino with less, or none, pips. A domino can be used for a variety of games that involve arranging the pieces in straight and curved lines or in angular patterns.
When Lily Hevesh began playing with her grandparents’ classic 28-pack of dominoes when she was 9, she loved the way it felt to set them up in a line and flick the first one over. Now 20, Hevesh is a professional domino artist who creates mind-blowing setups for movies, TV shows and events—including a recent album launch by Katy Perry. She uses a variation of the engineering-design process when creating her installations, starting with considering the theme and purpose of the installation.
Dominoes are a familiar sight in many homes, and it’s not hard to see why. They’re fun to play with, and they can help build motor skills. They’re also a great tool for teaching math and counting. However, not all dominoes are created equal, and some have more educational benefits than others.
In 2009, Domino’s launched a bold new marketing campaign with the goal of turning around its faltering pizza business. The campaign emphasized its core values, including one called “Champion Our Customers,” and promoted a self-aware attitude that showed Domino’s was willing to own up to its mistakes and work to make things right.
The campaign was a huge success, and it helped the Domino’s brand grow significantly. But more importantly, it was a model for other businesses looking to take risks and innovate in order to stay competitive. The company is now one of the world’s largest pizza chains, with a total market capitalization of more than $7 billion and annual sales of more than $17 billion.
In addition to the traditional brick-and-mortar stores, Domino’s has more than 1,800 franchises, and it also offers delivery by phone or online. The company has also experimented with robots and drones to deliver pizzas. And it has even partnered with crowd-sourced auto designers to create a custom-designed, Domino’s-branded Chevrolet Spark that was designed to serve as a mobile pizza oven.
As a company, Domino’s has always been known for taking chances. And with its continued innovation, it looks like they may have a long road ahead of them.
Whether you write your manuscript off the cuff or carefully compose your novel, there’s one fundamental question that needs to be answered in your story: What happens next? Considering how the domino effect works will help you answer that question in a compelling way.