The term domino is often used to describe the occurrence of events that lead directly to another event in a predictable manner. But a Domino effect isn’t just limited to a series of physical events, it can also be used to describe the way a particular event affects other areas of life.
Domino is a game, but it’s also a metaphor for the way in which a person can affect change and make an impact. This is the case for both a person’s personal and professional life, and even in world affairs. The word “domino” comes from the Latin word for throne or chair, but it is sometimes also used to describe a set of interacting factors that lead to an outcome or reaction.
Whether you write your manuscript off the cuff or follow a careful outline, plotting a novel ultimately boils down to one question: What happens next? Considering how the domino effect works can help you answer this question in a way that will keep your readers hooked.
In the game of domino, players arrange dominoes edge to edge on a table or board in such a way that each of the adjacent faces are identical (i.e., numbered with the same number of dots or are blank) or form a specific total such as a straight line or a loop. The first player to reach this end state wins the game. Traditionally, dominoes have been made from bone, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), ivory, or a dark hardwood such as ebony, with contrasting black and white pips that are either inlaid or painted on the pieces.
When a domino is placed, it has the potential to do something—but that something is usually not activated until an outside force pushes on it. When this occurs, the inertia of the domino is overcome and the piece moves. This same principle applies to business: when an outside force is applied to a company, the domino has the potential to move and impact other areas of the organization in a positive or negative manner. This is what Domino’s did when they brought in new leadership and refocused their mission. The result was a drastic reduction in employee turnover, a new focus on customer service, and a more effective use of technology. This strategy was so successful that Domino’s received a Top Workplaces Leadership Award through the Detroit Free Press. The same values were carried forward by Doyle when he became CEO. Domino’s continues to put a strong emphasis on listening to customers and focusing on core values. This includes a focus on leadership training and an open line of communication with employees, which can be seen in the Undercover Boss episode where Doyle visits one of Domino’s busiest locations to see how things are going for them.