Keeping employees without work access to computers and Blackberrys in the mix is essential for long-term success.

It’s tough in today’s internet era to communicate with factory workers and employees that aren’t constantly in front of the computer, iPhone or Blackberry.

Many companies have a large manufacturing population that’s on the floor constantly or a workforce in the field with no internet access.  Recently, one of my favorite communications publications from Ragan.com addressed this issue.  A communications professional asked on Ragan’s member’s forums how companies with similar situations communicated to non-connected workers.

Here are some of my favorites, along with a few of my own:

Talk to them at home – many have internet access at home.  Ask frontline employees if they’ll check the company intranet, email and correspondence at home.  If you get a good response, you’re on your way to something.

Place computer kiosks in break rooms – be generous in allowing employees access to the web by visiting whatever they want.  If your company intranet and content is important and relevant, they’ll access it.

PRINT and DISPLAY blog posts, comments, and electronic communication – My favorite places to display these things is in the bathroom stalls and at eye level by the urinals.  It makes people aware of online communications and encourages them to go home and access the material.  It never hurts to have a “captive audience” when you are trying to make a point.

Televisions and Telephones – ask employees if they’ll opt in to receive messages via cell phones, nearly everyone has them these days.  Make sure to ask…spamming is annoying and a turn-off.  Put TV’s in the plant and break rooms and broadcast company news that way.

Conference calls – many employees feel more comfortable expressing views to senior management in this forum than they are in a face-to-face setting.  These sessions should be of a give-and-take nature.

Quarterly style town hall meetings – one thing John McCain clearly understood was the power of interacting with constituency groups in such a setting.  Top executives should visit all facilities to discuss business and field questions.  It’s OK to solicit employee questions in advance and make sure everyone can attend – on company time.

I’m confident many of you with this situation have found ways to communicate with frontline employees.  Send me your suggestions…I’d love to know what’s working for you.

And check out Ragan.com and subscribe to their feeds or email newsletters.  They are packed with great tips to help your business communicate more effectively.