A domino is a small, flat rectangular block used as a gaming object. A Domino is normally twice as long as it is wide, and each end is marked with a distinctive arrangement of spots, or “pips,” which correspond to the numbers on a die. When a domino is placed in relation to other tiles, these pips form an order or sequence that indicates the value of the tile in question, as well as the effect of this particular domino on the outcome of a game. Traditionally, the most common domino is a double-six, and a set of this size allows four unique combinations of ends with values ranging from six pips up to none or blank.
The word domino, from the Latin dominus (“lord”), is associated with the ancient blocking game that bears its name, and it is a reminder of the power of cause and effect. It also suggests a masterful leader who always thinks two moves ahead.
In the business world, a domino can be a force to be reckoned with. When a company’s leadership structure starts to fall apart, it can have drastic and unpredictable consequences. Such was the case with Domino’s Pizza, whose CEO Don Meij went undercover for an episode of Undercover Boss. The show followed Meij as he visited a number of restaurants and observed the way employees handled their work.
One of the main issues he saw was that many employees didn’t feel they were being treated with respect or that their ideas were being heard. He recognized that this was a problem and that it needed to be addressed quickly, or Domino’s might not make it.
The decision to change the way the company structured its leadership team was a bold move. It required upending decades of tradition, but it also allowed Domino’s to focus more on its core mission and address the primary complaint customers had with the brand.
As a result, the company experienced a dramatic uptick in sales. It’s a lesson that all businesses can learn from, and it also demonstrates the importance of identifying the most important issues facing your organization.
For writers, this can mean weeding out scenes that aren’t adding to the tension of your story. For example, if your character uncovers a clue in one scene that doesn’t have enough impact on the scene that follows it, you’re probably using the wrong type of energy in your writing. Whether you’re a pantster who doesn’t use outlines or a plotting program like Scrivener, this is a good lesson to remember.