Mainebiz recently conducted a reader poll asking, "What's the biggest challenge with the labor shortage?" Among the four answer choices of (1) wage pressure, (2) finding qualified workers, (3) lack of workforce housing, and (4) retaining good employees, the overwhelming number of votes went to No. 2; finding qualified workers. As any small business owner knows, all the above issues actively contribute to the ongoing labor shortage, as well as others not listed, including a new examination of lifestyle and career choices. I learned long ago it's not good enough to just list problems without offering solutions, so here are some short and long-term ideas being tried around the country to help alleviate the situation. While companies can choose to adapt or work towards the above, they can also take a hard look at inefficiencies and turn to software technology to handle time-intensive administrative tasks, or automate inventory management and outsource where possible.