Domino is a small, flat, rectangular block used to play various games. A domino features a line down the center to visually divide it into two squares, each with a number of spots, or pips, which determine its value and rank. Each domino is usually twice as long as it is wide. Some are blank or have a value of one spot, while others have more spots. Often, the more pips on a domino, the higher its rank and value. Dominoes are also referred to as bones, cards, men, or pieces.
In a game of domino, players place one domino edge to edge against another in a line and then roll a dice or spin a wheel to determine the sequence of moves to be made. The next domino is then pushed on top of the previous piece, and it must be lined up with its edge against that of the first domino, a process known as laying up or setting up.
The energy from the rolling or putting down of each domino travels through the line to each domino, and when the first one falls, its potential energy converts to kinetic energy, which provides the push needed for the next domino to fall. This continues through the entire chain, until the last domino is pushed down. This is why a series of carefully planned dominoes can be mesmerizing to watch.
Aside from the excitement of seeing a series of dominoes set up in careful order and then toppled with just one little nudge, the concept of a domino effect is also quite relevant to how we often approach student learning. Some students have challenges in certain subjects, and it can be easy to compensate by teaching them skills they are good at instead of developing the skills that are missing. However, that strategy can ultimately impact a student’s ability to learn and eventually becomes self-defeating.
As a company, Domino’s has built a reputation for getting pizza out the door quickly, and the organization’s success has grown from there. In the 1960s, founder Peter Monaghan emphasized placing Domino’s locations near college campuses to draw in customers and build brand loyalty. He also focused on developing a system to deliver pizzas as quickly and reliably as possible, which remains at the core of the business today.
Domino’s has branched out to other types of food as well, but the company’s core remains the same—delivering pizza in a quick and efficient manner. Just like the domino effect, this is a crucial aspect of any successful business model. And it’s a lesson that many companies can learn from.