Domino, also called dominoes, is a game of chance that involves falling tile-like blocks that each feature a number of spots or dots. A complete set of dominoes consists of 28 tiles; each tile may be blank or bear a number from one to six. The most common sets of dominoes are made of ivory, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), or dark hardwood such as ebony. Other materials, such as stone (e.g., marble or soapstone); metals; ceramic clay; and frosted glass have also been used to create sets of dominoes.
There are many different games of dominoes, but the most popular in Western countries are blocking and drawing games for two to four players. These games are often played by shuffled, facedown dominoes; each player draws a number of pieces that he or she must then use to build a structure on the table. The resulting structure can be either a line, a square, or a tower. The first to build a domino structure wins the game. The pieces that remain behind are called the stock or boneyard.
Dominos are a fun way to teach counting, numbers, and other fundamentals. Many children’s toys and educational aids have been designed with domino in mind. Dominoes can be made to form shapes, letters, and numbers; or they can be used in conjunction with other toys to build a larger structure. Some dominoes even feature a musical sound when they fall!
The term domino has also been used to refer to a chain reaction. The domino effect is the idea that a small change in one place can cause a chain reaction, with subsequent changes happening rapidly. This theory is especially relevant to political events and conflicts, such as the destabilization of Chile in the 1970s, which was partially based on the domino theory by Richard Nixon.
During the 1980s, President Ronald Reagan promoted the domino theory to justify his administration’s intervention in Latin America. His premise was that a Communist Chile and Cuba would create a “red sandwich” that could entrap Latin America.
In business, the term domino has been applied to companies with a solid leadership structure and well-organized management. Domino’s Pizza, for example, is a company that promotes the concept of “leadership by doing.” This approach is reflected in its leadership development programs, which are focused on making leaders by putting them into real-life situations that force them to make important decisions.
Another way that the domino principle is used is in team building. For example, in an episode of the TV show Undercover Boss, Domino’s CEO Don Meij goes undercover at several Domino’s restaurants to observe how the employees handle their duties and interact with customers. He then develops a plan to improve the overall performance of the store. Domino’s employees respond well to his leadership and soon see positive results. This type of innovative thinking is what makes a successful organization thrive.