The Domino Effect

domino

Dominoes are small, rectangular blocks of wood or other material with a line or ridge down the center to visually divide each domino into two squares. Each side of a domino has a value, usually a number of dots (called pips) or a blank, that indicates its rank or weight, which determines how it should be placed in a sequence of tiles.

When a domino falls, much of its potential energy converts to kinetic energy, the energy of motion. This energy is transmitted to the next domino, giving it a push and starting the chain reaction that will continue until the last domino falls. This principle of the Domino Effect is also used to explain complex phenomena such as chemical explosions and other natural disasters.

In the Domino Effect, one thing can set off a chain of events that leads to another, sometimes catastrophic event, such as a fire or an earthquake. This type of event can be caused by human activities, as in a house explosion, or by natural causes such as an earthquake or a meteor strike. The impact of the first domino can be felt in the form of a shake, a jolt or a boom. The impact of the second domino can be felt in the form of an intense heat wave, an electrical or magnetic field or a tsunami.

The term domino may be applied to a series of related events or to a person’s reputation or character, as in the story of Domino’s Pizza founder Tom Monaghan and his struggle to keep the company going after the death of founder Joey Hendricks. The company’s turnaround was fueled by a series of changes, such as a relaxed dress code and a new leadership training program, that focused on putting employees at the forefront of decision-making. The new leadership kept Domino’s in the public eye by listening to customer feedback and addressing complaints directly.

Domino’s newest strategy is to focus on its delivery business, a major part of its operations that relies heavily on labor-intensive services such as delivering pizzas and facilitating online ordering. The company’s goal is to increase its number of delivery locations to help meet the demand for quick, reliable deliveries.

Domino’s is not alone in facing a labor shortage. Across the country, many businesses are struggling to find enough workers to meet customer demands, which has also hurt their profits. In a world of increasing competition for the attention of customers, Domino’s has to make sure that it is able to provide what people want in order to remain relevant. This is an important lesson to learn for entrepreneurs: Finding the right dominoes for your business, or personal life, means focusing on those activities that will have the biggest impact. For example, focusing on writing a financial plan can create an impact that will help you reach your goals more quickly than trying to tackle all of them at once.