Dominoes are rectangular wooden pieces that are used to play a wide range of games. Some of them are adaptations of card games, but they also have their own rules and variations.
The name “domino” comes from the Latin word pupai, which means “to set up” or “lay out.” A domino set contains two squares, each containing a specific number of spots called “pips.” Each spot represents one possible face of a thrown die, and some spaces are blank.
While there are many ways to play a domino game, the most common is to place them on ends in a line and flick the first one over to cause all of them to fall. Some people even use dominoes to make spectacular 3-D designs.
Stacking dominos in this way can result in the so-called “domino effect,” which is a cascade of events that starts with a single action and leads to much greater consequences. It’s a useful metaphor for analyzing business situations that seem straightforward on the surface, but are actually complicated.
In his book The Decision Process, Nobel Prize-winning psychologist Daniel Kahneman explains that one small trigger can set off an elaborate chain of events that may have unintended consequences. He calls this a “domino effect.”
As an entrepreneur, you have an abundance of ideas to choose from, but it can be difficult to know which ones are worth investing your time in. You have to prioritize based on their ability to move your business forward in the short term, but also keep a long-term view in mind.
For example, a business that focuses on building relationships with customers and delivering quality pizzas can be a dominant force in the market, but it’s also vulnerable to disruption from third-party delivery services like Uber Eats or DoorDash. While these businesses may not be able to compete in the long term, they could have a significant impact on your bottom line in the short term by reducing delivery costs and attracting new customers.
This is an especially important concept for a company that has a reputation for high-quality service and great customer loyalty. If you can’t get new customers to take advantage of your business’s competitive advantages, you might have trouble competing in the food industry, or even survive.
The domino effect is an effective tool for evaluating the most important areas to focus on in your business and your life, and can help you prioritize the streams of ideas that you have. It can also serve as a reminder to take a more patient approach when trying to solve complex problems and to focus on the big picture.
In her YouTube channel, Hevesh demonstrates how this concept can be applied to personal and professional matters alike. In her videos, she sets up dominoes in a straight or curved line, then flicks the first one over to cause all of them in the line to fall, one domino after another.
Hevesh uses the concept of the domino effect in her own work to create stunning displays that attract attention, build a sense of awe, and inspire fans. She has created installations for a variety of events and clients, including an album launch for pop star Katy Perry. She’s also an expert in creating custom designs for restaurants and retail spaces.