A domino is a small rectangular block with a square center and a line in the middle to divide it visually into two halves. Each half is marked with spots or dots that resemble those on dice. These dots are called pips. Dominoes can be stacked on top of one another and are used for games of chance and skill. Dominoes are also used to make art and can be arranged into shapes, patterns, and lines. The domino effect is a concept that shows how tiny actions can lead to big outcomes.
Dominoes are commonly made from bone, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), or ivory, with a dark hardwood such as ebony for the base. The pips are usually inlaid or painted. Dominoes are normally twice as long as they are wide. Each domino is assigned a value based on the number of pips it has on its two exposed ends. A domino with six pips is considered to be more valuable than a domino with three or four pips, and a domino with no pips at all is considered to be the least valuable. The value of a domino is often used to determine the order in which the pieces are laid down.
A common type of domino game is a five-point game, in which players take turns placing dominoes end to end along a line. Each domino must touch the end of a previous piece before the next piece can be placed. If the pips on both ends of a domino total any multiple of five, the player is awarded those points.
The word domino is also used to refer to a system of relationships and dependencies, or a chain of events. This is sometimes referred to as a social or economic domino effect, where a small action by one person leads to a series of larger consequences. The term is also sometimes used to refer to a particular way in which a company’s leadership structure can affect the quality of its employees and the performance of the business.
An interesting use of the domino effect can be seen in an episode of the television show Undercover Boss where Domino’s CEO Don Meij goes undercover to experience what it is like for his employees in various locations. He works in a delivery service, as well as in several of the restaurants that Domino’s owns and operates. He observes how the employees handle their work and how they respond to customers.
Domino’s Pizza has a solid leadership structure, and it’s clear that the leaders know how to motivate their teams to perform at the highest level possible. The company’s culture and management style are very effective, which is why they continue to thrive.
If you want to try your hand at creating domino art, draw a design on paper to guide the placement of your dominoes. You can create a simple straight line, a grid that forms pictures when the dominoes fall, or even 3D structures like towers and pyramids.