The domino effect is a phrase that describes how one action can trigger a chain reaction that cascades through a group or community. Whether it’s the student who decides to study harder and raises their grades, or the soccer team that finally wins against their rival, these actions can all create an incredible domino effect of positive change. The domino effect is also often used as a metaphor in business to describe how a single positive behavior can lead to even more positive results.
Dominoes are a type of rectangular block with a flat bottom and either blank or etched with an arrangement of dots or pips on one side. A domino set contains a number of these tiles, usually 28 to begin with. Players can play a variety of games with these pieces, including scoring and blocking. Each piece has a unique marking on one of its two sides, and a domino can only be paired with another tile that bears the same marking (although some games use blank tiles to make it easier to see which ones are available).
When a domino is tipped over, its other side reaches out toward its neighboring pieces and causes them to shift and fall in the same direction. This can lead to an even larger domino effect as the neighbors continue to shift and tumble in turn. The physics behind this phenomenon can be surprisingly complex, and some of the biggest domino art installations in the world are created with a single domino that is tipped over by gravity alone.
A Domino Effect in Business
During its first years of operation, Domino’s Pizza had trouble keeping up with the demand for their product. Their delivery drivers were constantly calling in sick and the company was facing high turnover rates. CEO David Brandon realized they needed to do something about it, and he started by implementing a new leadership training program for employees and speaking directly with workers to hear what their concerns were.
As a result, the company saw a huge spike in employee satisfaction, and this positive trend led to more and more business as Domino’s grew into a nationwide franchise.
This strategy was a big part of the success that Domino’s experienced, and it can be applied to any business. The best way to make changes is to start with one thing and then see how it relates to other things. For example, if you want to get healthier, maybe you should try eating less fat or cutting back on your sugar intake. By making these small, targeted changes in your diet, you’ll be more likely to succeed and create a healthy habit that will have other positive effects on your life.
In the same way, when you’re writing your novel, it helps to think of each plot point as a domino. If you want your story to be engaging and believable, it’s important to consider how each decision will influence the next and what effect it will have on your characters.