Domino is a game in which players set up dominoes (or more accurately, small rectangular tiles) edge to edge against each other to form rows or columns. When the first domino falls, it triggers a chain reaction in which each successive domino affects the next in some way. It can be a fun way for kids and adults to pass the time. In business, the domino effect can occur when one aspect of a company’s operations impacts another part of the organization in a negative way. The result is a chain reaction that can impact productivity and profits. To avoid the domino effect, businesses need to carefully consider each aspect of their operations to make sure that new changes don’t have unintended consequences.

For example, if your team is struggling to meet sales goals, it might be time to rethink how you recruit and train your employees. A poor hiring decision could result in low morale, which could negatively affect customer satisfaction, which, in turn, can reduce your sales and profitability. The key is to focus on the first domino, or the first step in your process. Once you have that in place, you can work to improve the rest of your operation.

In a business setting, the domino effect can be caused by something as simple as replacing outdated technology or as complicated as merging with a competitor. Whatever the catalyst, a successful change in your company requires careful planning to ensure that each domino has been lined up to fall in the right sequence. Otherwise, the results might be catastrophic.

The best way to keep the domino effect from stuttering is to start with the smallest domino and move up to bigger ones as you go along. For example, if you are trying to implement a new sales strategy in your company, start by scheduling an introductory meeting with a potential vendor. Then, once you have that in place, schedule regular follow-up meetings to get feedback on how well the strategy is working. This will help prevent the “flash in the pan” syndrome that can plague many new initiatives in a business.

A domino can also be used to create art, such as a line of straight dominoes or a grid that forms a picture when it falls. You can even build 3D structures like towers and pyramids out of dominoes. The possibilities are endless, and it’s easy to get lost in the physics of how everything works together.

In fiction, the domino effect helps readers understand how a character’s actions can affect other characters. For instance, if your hero takes an action that goes against social norms, the domino effect can give readers the logic they need to either accept the behavior or to continue liking him as their hero. This is why it’s so important to include clear motivations and reasons for a character’s actions when writing your story. In addition, if you want to create a dramatic scene that is difficult or dangerous for your hero, the domino effect can provide a compelling reason why your hero needs to take this risk.