Dominoes are a fun game to play where one small movement triggers a series of dominos to fall. This domino effect is a metaphor for many things in life. We often see dominos used in presentations to demonstrate the impact of one small action on a much larger outcome. But the Domino effect is not limited to physical objects like dominos; it can also be applied to relationships, business strategies and even to novel writing.
Domino is a popular game that requires a set of 28 small, oblong tiles bearing from one to six pips or dots (dominoes). Each player draws seven dominoes from the stock, and then tries to place them on a line of dominoes in such a way that their value is matched by the end of another piece that is already laid down. The first player to successfully complete a line wins.
Some learning challenges impact students in a similar way to a line of falling dominoes. One small mistake can have a big impact on the student’s ability to learn. When students try to compensate for the challenge by compensating with other skills, it starts a domino effect that prevents them from ever developing the needed skill. This can lead to frustration as the students attempt to do more and more, but eventually the domino effect causes them to fail.
The Domino Effect in Novel Writing
As writers we all want to create a story that has dramatic impact. The key to that impact is timing. To have a domino effect, your scenes need to be in the right order and they need to be spaced appropriately. Whether you write off the cuff or with careful plotting, knowing how to use the Domino Effect in your story will help make it more compelling for readers.
In a recent episode of Undercover Boss, Domino’s CEO Don Meij went undercover at several of their restaurants. He observed their delivery services and watched how the staff interacted with their customers. Meij noticed that there were a number of Domino’s employees that were not happy with their jobs and wanted to make changes in the company.
He knew that in order to make change, he would have to address the root cause of why they weren’t happy. He started by talking with employees and then making changes. He implemented a new training program that included a focus on customer service. He also made changes to how they handled employee complaints.
As a result, Domino’s has seen an increase in customer satisfaction and in the number of their locations. Their leadership team is focused on creating an environment where employees are happy and productive. One of the ways that they do this is by embracing the Domino Effect in their company culture. This means putting a high emphasis on leadership qualities, such as being visible and approachable to the workforce. They have also embraced a style of management that is more like coding than traditional bureaucracy, which they believe will attract and retain the best employees.