Dominoes are small rectangular game pieces that feature anywhere from 0 to 6 dots. They are used to play a variety of games, and can also be set up to create elaborate patterns that look pretty impressive when they’re knocked down. This use of dominoes inspired the term “domino effect,” which refers to an event or series of events that have a resounding impact, as though they were all caused by one single action.
Like playing cards, of which they are a variant, each domino has an identity-bearing side that shows the number – or, in some cases, blanks – it is to be played with and a matching blank or identically patterned other side. Each domino is also a member of either a suit, which is represented by the arrangement of spots, or pips, on one of its four squares, or by being of the type (either double-blank or numbered) that the game requires.
A domino must be placed so that both of its matching ends are touching an existing tile, with the exception of doubles, which are always placed cross-ways in the chain, straddling the end they are connected to. Depending on the rules of the particular game, additional tiles may be played to the right or left of a domino, forming a snake-line chain that expands and contracts at random according to the rules.
Hevesh has been creating and arranging domino setups for more than 10 years, and has created elaborate installations for movies, TV shows, and even the album launch of Katy Perry. Her best works can take hours to complete, and they often require thousands of dominoes. She knows that each domino has inertia — a tendency to resist motion when no outside force is pushing or pulling on it — but she can nudge the first domino just enough to get it past its tipping point.
When the first domino falls, it unleashes all that potential energy, and the rest of the chain soon follows. Hevesh likens this to her creative process. “It’s like I’m trying to build a chain reaction, or a domino effect,” she says.
The Domino Effect: How One Company Listens to Its Customers
When a problem arises at Domino’s, the company listens to its customers, and it acts on their feedback. When the company was struggling, its former CEO David Brandon implemented new policies such as a relaxed dress code and a more open line of communication. When he handed the reins to Dominic Doyle, who was later named CEO of Domino’s, he continued these practices. He also encouraged managers to visit stores and talk directly to employees, which helped the company turn things around. These initiatives are an example of Domino’s core value of championing its employees. The idea is that, when workers feel heard and empowered, they’ll want to make the best decisions for the business. Then, they can lead their teams and customers to success. Learn more about this award-winning company here.