Cellphones have made us all more accessible. But with increased accessibility comes the chance we’ll be disturbed when we don’t want to be — or that we’ll disturb those around us.

Taking control of your wireless device — whether it’s a cellphone or a BlackBerry — is a matter of setting expectations and practising a little courtesy.

If you don’t want clients calling you on your cellphone, don’t give them your number, suggests Joanne Ferguson, co-founder and partner at Advisor Pathways Inc. in Stratford, Ont. “Many advisors don’t give clients their cell numbers, and some just give it to key clients,” she says. “If you want to be accessible to some of your bigger clients, leave a list of two or three clients so the office can contact you if they call.”

If you do give out your number, set boundaries with clients about when you can be reached, she says. That means establishing when you’re available and when you’re not — and to whom clients should talk if you can’t be contacted.

Let clients know that you and your staff work as a team, and if you are unavailable, another team member in the office can help them. All staff members should be aware of the boundaries and know when to contact you if a client calls when you are not in the office.

Ferguson offers these dos and don’ts to help you keep your cellphone under control:

> do be discreet. If you have to take an important call from a client, find a secluded place to talk or say to the client: “I’m not in a position to speak to you at this moment. Is there a number where I can reach you when I’m in a place where I can talk?” Be specific about when you’ll call back and be sure to call at the appointed time. Privacy is of utmost importance when talking to a client.

> do turn off your cellphone when you are at a lunch meeting. If your cellphone is on, your focus is not on the client or the meeting. “What is more important than the person you are with in that meeting?” Ferguson asks. If you are expecting an urgent personal call, mention it up front. Otherwise, there is no reason why you should be interrupted.

> do give clear directions in your cellphone voice-mail greeting. If you’ve turned your phone off because you’re in a meeting or someplace where you can’t take a call, tell clients specifically to whom they should speak at the office if they need help immediately. Your message can say: “I’m not available, but Mary at the office can help you,” Ferguson suggests. If they need to speak to you directly, be specific as to what information they may and may not leave on the voice mail, she adds.

> do clarify with team members what is and isn’t an emergency. Designate an associate who can determine whether the situation really is important. They can text you. > don’t put the phone on “vibrate” while you’re in a meeting. If it vibrates, you’ll be distracted, wondering who called. “Shut it off and pick up your messages later,” Ferguson says. Some companies have banned cellphones and BlackBerrys from meetings because people were texting each other.

> don’t use your cellphone on public transportation or in public places such as elevators where people can overhear you. There are few things more annoying than being forced to listen to one end of a conversation.

> don’t talk on the phone while driving. It’s dangerous. “If it’s an emergency call, keep it short,” Ferguson says.

And your favourite musical ring tone is fine, Ferguson says. Just make sure it’s not set too loud. IE