The Domino Effect
A domino is a small rectangular block used for gaming. It has an identity-bearing side and a blank or identically patterned other side. Each side is marked with a pattern of spots, called pips, that resemble those on dice. A complete set of dominoes consists of 28 such pieces. People use them to play games in which they try to match ends of tiles and arrange them in lines or angular patterns. Dominos are also used to create art. A popular art form involves constructing complex 3-D designs using dominoes. The pieces are arranged to form images, words or other shapes that when knocked over, create the desired result.
The domino effect is a theory that states that one event can trigger a chain reaction that leads to an outcome that may be completely unexpected, but that may benefit a person or group in the end. For example, a person who is trying to lose weight might begin exercising regularly as a result of the first domino that falls, leading them to get more sleep, which results in better eating habits, and so on.
In the world of business, some believe that a company’s success is dependent on how many dominoes are falling in a positive direction. For example, a company that is making more money may attract employees and customers, which in turn drives more revenue. However, a company that is losing money can cause a negative domino effect that can lead to disaster.
For example, a company that loses a major client could suffer a loss of income and subsequently hire fewer people, which would have a detrimental effect on the bottom line and eventually lead to bankruptcy. A company that is experiencing financial losses might need to implement a series of steps to correct the problem, such as overhauling management procedures, restructuring operations or even closing stores.
A Domino’s franchise recently underwent a major turnaround after the departure of CEO David Brandon, who had been in the position for less than three years. He was replaced by former CEO and chairman of Domino’s International, Dominic DeLuca, who took a hard-nosed approach to the pizza company’s problems, including revamping the menu, improving customer service and reducing labor costs. The efforts paid off, and Domino’s now boasts more than 8,000 stores worldwide and revenues of nearly $7 billion per year.
When Hevesh is creating one of her mind-blowing domino setups, she begins by planning out the track or structure on paper before laying down any actual tiles. She considers a theme or purpose for the installation and brainstorms images or words that might come to mind. She also calculates how many dominoes she’ll need for the design. Once she has her plan, she starts arranging the dominoes on the floor in straight or curved lines or into grids that form pictures or other structures when they fall. Then she watches her creations in slow motion, using a video camera to make precise adjustments.