Dominoes, cousins of playing cards and dice, are one of the world’s oldest tools for game play. They’re also one of the most versatile, and they are used in many different ways. Whether it’s for professional domino game competition or simply setting them up and then knocking them over, they offer tests of skill and patience, as well as opportunities for family fun. They can even be a lesson in science and math.
The earliest dominoes were functionally identical to playing cards, but a version with markings that look like those on dice developed in China around the 1300s. These markings, known as pips, are what distinguish the domino pieces we know and love today from the ancient Chinese version. The European dominoes we recognize today were introduced in Britain toward the end of the 18th Century, possibly via French prisoners.
When Hevesh creates her mind-blowing domino arrangements, she follows a version of the engineering design process. She considers the theme or purpose of the installation, brainstorms images or words she might want to use, and then begins to build. The biggest 3-D sections go up first, followed by flat arrangements and then lines of dominoes that connect the sections together. Hevesh makes test versions of each section to make sure they work correctly before putting them all together.
A key to Domino’s success was addressing the main complaint customers had. Brandon’s predecessor, Dave Doyle, took this seriously and stuck to the company’s core values, one of which is “Champion Our Customers.” This meant that the company would listen to its customers and try to address their needs.
In the Domino’s case, this included focusing on locations. By putting their pizzas in places where people needed them, such as near college campuses, the company was able to grow quickly.
Another way Domino’s grew was by sticking to its value of championing employees. By fostering employee loyalty, the company was able to keep its best and brightest workers and avoid losing them to competitors.
While Domino’s has had its share of ups and downs, it remains a large company that plans to continue expanding. The company’s goal is to have 25,000 global locations by 2025, which means it still has room to grow.
Domino’s approach to leadership is a bit different from that of other fast-food companies. Instead of having a hierarchy with managers at the top, the company focuses on building leaders from within its ranks. It believes that strong leadership leads to stronger employees, which in turn means better customer service.
In addition, the company puts an emphasis on promoting a positive culture that fosters happiness and pride in the work environment. This is especially important because research has shown that a happy workforce results in more satisfied customers. By listening to its employees and fostering a positive work environment, the company has been able to retain its workers and improve its customer service. It’s a formula that has proven successful for Domino’s, and it’s something other fast-food companies should take note of.