Domino is a small flat block used as gaming object, usually made of wood but also bone, plastic and others. It is normally twice as long as it is wide and, depending on the type of domino, may have one or both ends showing a number (called values). The sides of the domino may be blank or patterned with spots or numbers in an arrangement similar to that of a die. The number on each end of a domino determines its rank and the total value of the dominoes of a certain rank is called its weight.
The term domino is also applied to a series of events that begin with a single action and lead to much greater and sometimes catastrophic consequences. These are known as domino effects, which are caused by a chain reaction that builds up momentum until it can no longer be held back.
If the first domino is tipped over, all of the remaining ones will quickly topple in quick succession. This is the basis of many popular games that involve lining up dominoes on end to form complex shapes and to create patterns. Children particularly enjoy these types of games and they can often spend hours building elaborate lines of dominoes.
In a business setting, the phrase domino effect is often used to describe a situation where a negative action has a cascading series of consequences. For example, if an employee has a problem with their coworker or customer, it can have an impact on the whole organization.
For this reason, companies are constantly looking for ways to avoid domino effects. One way that they do this is by listening to their employees and customers. This helps them identify and address issues that could have a negative impact on the company.
Another way that they avoid domino effects is by focusing on a company’s core values. By staying true to these values, the company can build a culture that is tolerant of problems and will help the company avoid domino effects.
For example, Domino’s has a core value that states that “Champion Our Customers.” This allows the company to recognize when a customer has a complaint and it can make changes to its business practices to help avoid future complaints. This company has successfully followed this policy and it has helped them keep their customers happy. This has led to positive customer ratings and a strong reputation in the market place. This is something that other businesses can follow to ensure that they avoid domino effects in the future.