You Got Game

The best-known corporate user of puzzles is probably Microsoft. For co-founder and chairman Bill Gates, puzzle-solving has been a hobby since childhood. Today, Microsoft asks many job applicants to solve puzzles, brainteasers and logic problems during its screening process.

Microsoft applicants are often asked to answer such questions as "How many gas stations are there in the United States?" or "What is the rate of flow of the Mississippi River?" according to Michael Cusumano, MIT management professor and co-author of Microsoft Secrets (Free Press). The basic idea is to examine how they attempt to solve the puzzle. "They're screening for very smart people," explains Cusumano. "They want to find people who can think on their own and think logically."

More widespread business use of puzzles began five years ago when trainers started adapting them for their classes and seminars, says Chester. Rex Games, in fact, now produces a manual specifically for Tangoes use in training. "Tshe idea that it's easier to teach problem-solving to managers using manipulative, kinesthetic gadgets is coming to the forefront," he adds.

This article was originally published in the February 1999 print edition of Entrepreneur with the headline: You Got Game.