Dominoes are small, flat blocks used in games of chance and skill. They are also known as bones, pieces, or men. They are made from a variety of rigid materials, such as ivory and silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), or a dark hardwood like ebony with contrasting black or white pips inlaid or painted on them. In the past, sets were even made from ice. Dominoes come in various shapes and sizes, from standard square to miniature asymmetrical ones. They are also available in a wide range of colors, from bright primary shades to neutral earth tones.
Domino’s has a lot to worry about in the short term, including a labor shortage that threatens its ability to deliver pizzas and other items on time and at the right quality. But the company remains focused on its core values, one of which is to “Champion Our Customers.” Under David Brandon and now under CEO Anthony Doyle, the company has been working hard to listen to customers’ feedback and address any complaints quickly.
The company’s focus on the customer has also helped it stay ahead of the curve when it comes to new ways for people to order their pizzas. Among other innovations, Domino’s is working on an app that allows customers to place orders by texting an emoji or using voice-activated devices like Amazon Echo.
This is just the latest in a long line of new ideas to come out of the Domino’s headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Technology is a large part of the business—more than half of its workers are in software analytics—and Domino’s continues to invest in research and development to find innovative ways for people to order their food.
As for the future of Domino’s, the company is continuing to make investments in its delivery and carryout operations to ensure that it has the capacity to handle growing demand. This includes investing in more than 200 driver-assistance systems, which will allow the company to deliver orders faster and reduce traffic congestion on busy roads.
While many people think of dominoes as a fun pastime, the small, flat blocks can serve as an effective learning tool. For example, students can use them to reinforce the commutative property of addition. Each domino has two ends, and the total number of dots on the top and bottom sides can be added in any order. For this reason, dominoes are often used as a bridge between the use of moveable manipulatives and the use of symbols in algebra.