Cell phones. Voice mail. E-mail. They’re great for increasing business productivity, but cause endless irritation over proper usage. The technologies are simply too new for hard and fast rules to have developed.

“We are too quick with our approach to the cell phone. We are loud and abrupt,” says Alinda Lewris, president of the International Association of Protocol Consultants, “and we forget that e-mail is really an abbreviated letter. People don’t realize its impact.”

Guidelines are definitely needed, and like all etiquette, technology protocol is based on politeness and consideration for others. Who is going to overhear your conversation, or get mad when you ignore them in person to talk with the disembodied someone on the phone? How busy is the person listening to your voice message? Is your e-mail so informal you don’t sound professional?

Just be considerate, and you’ll do okay.

That means turning off your cell phone, for example, or at least set it on vibrate, when you’re in a meeting or during a business meal. If you simply must take the call, go somewhere private, then keep conversation brief. Don’t discuss anything you mind others hearing.

Keep voice mail succinct and direct, but provide enough context so the recipient understands your message. State your name and company immediately, of course, but repeat your name—along with your phone number—at the end. Be sure to provide a time window when you’re sure you’ll be available for response.

A quick e-mail saves everyone time. But remember, it is a letter, after all—good grammar, no slang, no typos. People get dozens of e-mails daily, so make sure the context is clear as well. And make your subject line clear so your message stands out.