We’ve all seen domino constructions where, by tipping the first domino ever-so-slightly, the rest fall in a beautiful cascade of rhythmic motion. This is called the domino effect and it’s also a powerful metaphor for how the actions of one person or company can affect others.

Dominoes, cousins of playing cards, originated in China in the 1300s and are among the oldest tools for game play. They are used for a variety of games, as a test of skill and patience and as a form of entertainment. They have a long history and come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Each domino has markings, known as pips, that represent the results of throwing two six-sided dice. A domino is normally twice as long as it is wide, and a typical set contains 28 tiles.

In a game of domino, players draw seven tiles from the stock (also known as the boneyard) and then place them on-edge in front of themselves, so they can see their own values but not the values of their opponents’ tiles. Each player then tries to play a domino with matching values. If a player cannot find a match, they must continue drawing tiles from the stock until they can.

A domino set may be made from different materials, including stone (e.g., marble, granite or soapstone); other types of wood (e.g., ebony, redwood or oak); other metals (e.g., brass or pewter); ceramic clay; and even glass and crystal. Some sets use the top half of a thick material, such as silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl) or ivory, with the lower half in a darker color like ebony, to create an elegant look.

Some people enjoy domino as a hobby, while others use it as an activity for groups or to raise money for charity. Some people even compete in professional domino tournaments. The most common games use a double-six domino set.

Domino’s has been growing steadily since its founding in Ypsilanti, Michigan, in 1967. In fact, the chain has more than 25,000 locations worldwide. Part of their strategy is placing stores near colleges and universities, where they can take advantage of young consumers. But the chain is also focused on listening to its customers and responding quickly to their needs.

For example, in the television show Undercover Boss, Domino’s CEO is sent to work in a busy store and learns how employees communicate with each other and with customers. Domino’s leadership takes customer feedback seriously and uses it to implement new practices, such as a relaxed dress code or leadership training for their managers.

The Domino’s domino effect is an excellent metaphor for how a small effort can have a big impact on a business. It’s important to understand what you’re trying to accomplish and plan carefully, especially if you’re working with a large group of people. And, just as a domino is ineffective by itself but comes to life when it’s combined with other pieces, you should make sure each scene you write works with the ones that come before and after it.