When you see the word domino, you probably think of a long line of little rectangular blocks that can be tipped over to cause other pieces to fall. Stacking them in this way creates games of chance and skill, but they are also used to make more complex shapes, and the idea of one simple action leading to massive consequences is at the root of many popular stories.
A domino can be as simple as a single tile that sits on the end of a line of other tiles, or as complex as an intricate arithmetical design that requires many thousands of small squares to form a circle. Each domino has a unique number of pips that indicate its value in a game. Most of the time, people use dominoes to play positional games in which players place tiles edge-to-edge so that their values match or add up to a certain total.
For example, in the classic game of double-six domino, a player draws seven tiles from the stock and places them on-edge in front of him. He then tries to lay down a piece that matches his opponents’ remaining tiles for scoring purposes. Each matching domino adds a point to the winner’s score.
Dominoes can be arranged in any pattern, but the most important factor is their placement. A domino that is too close to another will not be able to be pushed over without causing the other dominoes to topple over as well. Too far away, and the effect is diminished.
This same principle applies to the way that storytellers structure their scenes and chapters. Scenes should be spaced so that the pacing of the story is not rushed but also so that it can be slowed down at key moments, such as the hero’s victory or defeat.
The same kind of problem has slowed Domino’s growth lately, as the company struggles with a shortage of drivers to deliver pizza orders. The labor crisis is putting immense pressure on Domino’s business model, which relies heavily on delivery, and it could threaten the company’s future. But the fact that Domino’s has been able to bounce back from this setback is an example of how to follow one of our favorite business adages: “Champion Your Customers.” By putting its employees first, Domino’s was able to make changes quickly and move forward. And that’s a good lesson for any business in any industry.