Domino is a small, flat rectangular block used as gaming pieces. Dominoes, also known as bones, men, tiles or cards, are stacked on end in long lines so that when one is tipped over, it can knock over the next domino in the line, and so on. This is the concept behind the phrase “the domino effect” – that one event can trigger a series of larger and often catastrophic events.
In business, the Domino effect is the phenomenon where a company’s success begets the development of similar businesses. For example, when a company creates an innovative product, it can inspire copycat companies to develop competing products in order to capture market share and increase profits. This chain reaction can have a negative impact on both the original company and its competitors, as well as consumers.
Using the Domino Effect
For writers, it can be useful to think about the domino effect when planning their stories. This can help a writer determine what logical scenes should come before, after and in between important scenes in the story. By thinking about how scenes should build on each other, a writer can avoid the common pitfall of having scenes that don’t move the story forward or provide a clear sense of direction.
Using the domino effect can be particularly helpful for writers who don’t use outlines or other plotting tools, such as Scrivener. These writers can often be prone to having scenes that are at the wrong angle or don’t have enough logical impact on the scene ahead of it. Taking the time to consider how scenes should work together can help these writers create more compelling novels.
The Domino Effect
One of the most famous examples of the domino effect is the pizza delivery service created by Tom Monaghan. After hearing from his customers that they wanted their pizza delivered to them, Monaghan set out to create a delivery system that could fulfill this need within 30 minutes. He started by placing Domino’s pizza shops in areas close to college campuses. This was a good way to capture the attention of young people and ensure that their orders were filled quickly.
The company’s successful model grew to include more than 200 stores by 1978. This growth was fueled by the company’s emphasis on listening to its employees and responding to their complaints. This line of communication was extended to customers as well, and the company incorporated this value into its culture in a number of ways. For example, the Detroit Free Press reported that Domino’s CEO Don Meij accompanied his employees on delivery runs in order to see firsthand how their work was being performed. He then implemented changes such as a relaxed dress code and leadership training programs. These changes helped to reinforce Domino’s commitment to its employees and to its core values, including the Domino’s Promise of delivering pizza in 30 minutes or less. This strategy paid off in terms of increased profits and a high rating among top workplaces.