The Domino Effect

Domino, also known as bones, pieces, men, or tiles, is a small flat rectangular block used as a gaming object. It has a line down the middle to divide it visually into two squares, and each side is marked with one or more dots, called pips, that are normally used to indicate the value of the domino. The more pips on the domino, the higher its rank or value. A large number of different games can be played with dominoes, either individually or in groups. In some games, players stack the dominoes on their ends in long rows. A domino that is tipped over causes the next domino in the row to tip, and so on in a chain reaction until all the dominoes have fallen. Dominoes are often used to demonstrate physics principles and can be arranged to form very complex designs.

Dominoes are commonly associated with the “domino effect,” which describes a situation in which one thing leads to many other things, sometimes with catastrophic consequences. But a Domino Effect can happen in our lives as well, when we make a series of small commitments that add up to a shift in our identity and habits. For example, when Jennifer Dukes Lee started making her bed each morning, she was starting a series of small actions that would help her create a habit of keeping a clean house. This was a tiny domino that set off a whole series of other small changes in her behavior, including a change in the way she viewed herself as a person who maintains a tidy home.

Another type of Domino effect occurs when a new idea or initiative is launched by one company, which then inspires other businesses to follow suit. This is how a chain reaction of innovations can begin and spread quickly, changing the world around us in just a few years. The story of the Domino’s Pizza chain is an excellent example of this phenomenon.

The chain of events that led to the creation of Domino’s began in Ypsilanti, Michigan, where founder Tom Monaghan opened his first store in 1967. He was careful to choose locations that were close to colleges, which he knew were prime markets for his fast-food takeout business. He also promoted a key business value, which was listening to employees and customers. This helped him create a culture that was welcoming to everyone and gave the company a competitive advantage.

Domino’s growth continued through the 1980s and early 1990s. But a leadership change in 1994 set off a domino effect that threatened the company’s future. The new CEO, Dave Brandon, implemented a variety of changes to the corporate culture and to its processes. The results were disappointing and the company fell into debt, causing it to struggle financially.

The company rebounded, however, when Doyle took over as CEO in 2004. He was quick to implement a series of changes and focused on keeping the company in touch with its core values. He promoted a culture of listening to employees and customers and focused on expanding its menu to include other food items in addition to pizza. The results were a successful turnaround for Domino’s, and the company once again became a great place to work.