Domino is a small rectangular block used in games for positioning and forming a chain. Also called bones, cards, men, pieces, or tiles, dominoes have a blank or patterned side and a marked or numbered side, resembling the numbers on dice. The numbered side of a domino may contain anywhere from one to six spots (or dots) or any number of blank spaces, and 28 such tiles constitute a full set of dominoes. A player begins a domino game by placing a single domino on the table so that it touches two adjacent dominoes on either side of it. Each subsequent tile played is positioned so that it covers the end of a previous domino in a row, or is placed against a set of stacked dominoes (also known as a tableau).
There are many different ways to play a domino game, and most involve the laying down of a sequence of dominoes whose ends are identical. A player’s goal is to complete this sequence with a domino bearing the number indicating its value. Most common are blocking and scoring games, such as bergen, chicken foot, Mexican train, and so forth, but some domino games replicate card-playing games and may be played as solitaire or to circumvent religious proscriptions on the use of cards.
The domino effect is the principle that a single change in behavior can trigger a chain reaction with similar changes in related behaviors. For example, a person who decides to get more exercise will also begin to make changes in their diet. The domino effect is sometimes referred to in relation to politics, where a country’s policies can have far-reaching implications beyond its borders and can impact the stability of its neighboring countries.
In the early 1960s, the United States began forming domino alliances with countries in East Asia to contain communism there. Despite some domestic opposition to the policy, Eisenhower’s successor John F. Kennedy increased the commitment of U.S. resources to support Ngo Dinh Diem’s regime in South Vietnam and non-communist forces fighting a civil war in Laos. He did so on the basis of the domino theory, which suggested that a victory in one country would cause its neighbors to erect barriers against communism.
Aside from experimenting with new pizza delivery methods, Domino’s is also working to improve the company culture and morale. It has partnered with several universities to provide students with real-world experience while they learn about foodservice, and it is rethinking employee compensation programs and perks. Moreover, it is taking steps to address a persistent problem that has plagued the company: low employee retention. In the past, Domino’s has turned to a variety of solutions, including mandatory training, more flexible work schedules, and even an on-call system that allows employees to receive a text message if they are running late for their shift. The strategy seems to be paying off, as Domino’s recently announced that it has lowered its turnover rate by a third.