The word domino means something that has the power to influence or overturn another thing. Dominoes are a good example of this—one tiny nudge can set off a chain reaction that brings down a tower of blocks that is one-and-a-half times larger than the original domino.

When you think of it this way, the domino effect is a powerful metaphor for how to craft a novel that moves your reader forward in a compelling way. Whether you outline your manuscript or write off the cuff, you need to consider how each scene will influence what comes next. Think of each scene as a domino, and then figure out what happens when you tip it over.

In business, the domino effect is a great way to illustrate how a small change can have a ripple effect that affects many people in a positive and lasting way. For instance, when Domino’s began listening to their customers and implementing changes in response to their complaints, it had a major impact on the company and ultimately the whole industry.

The company’s previous CEO, David Brandon, knew that the company needed to change its practices in order to remain competitive. So, he decided to put the company’s core values into action. This included a new line of communication between employees and managers, as well as new leadership training programs. The result was a major turnaround in the company’s performance and reputation.

In addition, Domino’s invested in technology to provide customers with more ways to place an order. They also hired employees with experience in software analytics to help them better understand the data they were receiving from customers. This information helped them make smarter decisions and provide better customer service. The company now has the highest customer satisfaction rate of any pizza chain in the US.

Domino’s has also been able to keep its prices low by cutting costs wherever they can. For example, they switched from using plastic for their boxes to paper, which saves the company money. They’ve also been able to use less oil in their ovens, which cuts their fuel costs. These savings are passed on to the customer in the form of lower prices.

In addition to playing traditional domino games, the pieces can be used for art projects or to create unique structures with curved lines, grids that form pictures, stacked walls, or 3D pyramids. Often, the pieces are made of a type of stone or rigid material such as wood. They may be painted or stained, although natural materials have a more rustic look. Some sets are made of ivory, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), bone, or a dark hardwood such as ebony. These sets have a more distinctive appearance and are generally heavier than those made of polymer. A few very rare and valuable sets have been made of precious metals, such as gold or silver. These sets have a distinctively different appearance and feel, but are usually far more expensive than those of polymer.