How to Use the Domino Effect in Your Writing
Dominoes are small, square, black and white pieces of material that are part of a domino set. They have a unique feature that distinguishes them from other types of game pieces: the ends of each piece have a pattern of dots, similar to the markings on a die. Known as pips or spots, these dots indicate the number of sides that each domino has and are used to identify its position in a line or in a group.
Most people are familiar with the game of domino, where players place dominoes edge to edge, or side-by-side, so that adjacent pips match each other (for example, 5 to 5). Dominoes are also used for other types of games, including scoring games like bergen and muggins, blocking games such as matador and chicken foot, and educational games that teach counting and number recognition.
Whether you are a writer who composes your manuscript off the cuff or a plotter with a detailed outline, the process of creating a story comes down to one question: What happens next? Considering how to use the domino effect in your writing will help you create a story that is engaging and keeps readers turning the pages.
In the business world, the domino effect describes a chain reaction that begins with an event or action and affects other events or actions, often in a linear fashion. This concept is well-known in the field of project management, where the success or failure of a single task can have significant impact on other tasks within a larger project.
For example, if an employee is late for work, the subsequent meetings and projects may become disrupted, which can affect the company’s bottom line. One of the ways to avoid this type of domino effect is to start each day with a list of the most important tasks that need to be completed. Then, prioritize these tasks so that the most important task is done first.
Another strategy is to develop and implement a formal project plan, which can help to organize tasks by priority and ensure that all necessary steps are taken in order to complete the job successfully. This can be helpful for businesses that are trying to manage multiple projects at once or for those who need to track progress on individual goals and milestones.
In 2009, Domino’s began an aggressive campaign, helmed by then-CEO Patrick Doyle, to make the pizza company more self-aware and address some of its biggest complaints. One of the key components of this campaign was a video that showed Domino’s leaders and employees reading scathing customer reviews of their product. While this type of honesty is rare in business, it was effective in demonstrating that Domino’s valued its customers and wanted to change. This helped Domino’s regain its reputation as a top-notch pizza company. In addition, this line of communication also led to new policies and practices that improved employee morale. For instance, the company now has a more relaxed dress code and new leadership training programs.