A domino is a small rectangular game piece with anywhere from zero to six dots on each end. It’s used in a variety of games that can be played in a single straight line or across an entire room. Dominoes are also stood up to create elaborate patterns that look pretty cool when they’re knocked down. The act of setting up and arranging dominoes inspired the domino effect, a concept that describes how one action can initiate a chain reaction that causes other actions to occur.
The domino effect can be seen in the way that a little change, like making your bed each day, can cause a cascade of other changes that make you feel more responsible for the rest of your life. Similarly, a business decision can lead to an entire company changing direction. This is how Domino’s, the pizza chain, was able to turn around its image by listening to employees and responding to customer feedback.
In a business context, the domino effect can be used to encourage employees to take risks and think outside the box. This can be done through training programs and other initiatives that help people understand that mistakes are okay, as long as they learn from them and don’t repeat the same mistake again. For example, Domino’s CEO, Patrick Doyle, promotes the belief that “If we want to be great, we must first listen to our employees.” This approach is credited with allowing Domino’s to become the best pizza company in America.
This communication philosophy extends to Domino’s customers as well. The company listens to its clients and has implemented new ways for them to order pizzas, including texting an emoji or using devices such as Amazon Echo. In addition, the company has a strong culture of customer service and rewards its employees for their performance. This is how Domino’s has been able to increase its market share and become the largest pizza company in the world.
In British pubs and clubs, a scoring version of domino called 5s-and-3s is often played. This requires a double-six set and is a two-player game. Each player aims to attach a tile to the ends of those already played, so that the sum of the two is divisible by five or three. One point is scored for each of these multiples.
Many sets of dominoes are made out of natural materials such as bone, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), ivory, or a dark hardwood like ebony. These have a rich, luxurious look and feel that is more durable than polymer sets.
In addition to woods, dominoes can be made out of other stones such as marble and granite; soapstone; metals such as brass and pewter; or ceramic clay. These types of dominoes are more expensive and have a unique appearance. In addition, they tend to be more substantial in weight. These can make a set more appealing to collectors and enthusiasts.