Digital music unstoppable… Big screens increase productivity… Eco advice for SMEs

New figures confirm digital music creeping up

The digital share of local wholesale music sales has jumped from 1.5% to 5.5% in calendar 2006, according to new figures from the Australian Recording Industry Association.

There was a 251% increase in the value of digital music sales, from $7.9 million to $27.8 million, and a 320% increase in volume (tracks) sold, from 4.9 million to 20.9 million.

Apple’s iPod, which hit sales worldwide of 100 million units last month, is thought to be a driver, as is the huge number of people downloading tracks to their mobile phones. ARIA’s chief executive Stephen Peach expects digital sales to rise to be 10% of wholesale music sales by the end of 2007.

Other stats include:

• Record companies shipped almost 50 million CD album units, an increase of approximately 7.9% on the same period last year, although the overall value of those sales fell by just over 5%.

By volume, Australian repertoire represented:

• 27.2% of the top 100 singles chart for the period, up from 22% in 2005.
• 37.7% of the top 100 album chart for the period, up from 27% in 2005.

For more on the survey results click here.

Of course, lots of people aren’t paying for their digital music. Limewire is the one of the biggest destination for file sharers.

Big screens increase productivity, sales

If your staff are whinging about the size of their computer monitors, you may want to reconsider that “no”. Workers are more productive when they sit in front of a bigger screen according to an Apple-commissioned study by French research group Pfeiffer Consulting. And bigger screens are getting cheaper.

Sales of large screens are growing for both these reasons, says market analyst firm GfK. Monitors 19 inches and above accounted for 60% of the market in February this year, up from 33% of the market a year ago. But truly large screens are still a luxury, making up only 6% of the market.

Small business is leading the trend. Dell says 43% of LCD screens sold to SMEs were 20 inches or larger.

Eco advice for SMEs

Studies have shown that Australian small and medium businesses are confused about what they can do to help address climate change and global warming. But many are willing. Here’s a new business that has made advice in this area it’s mission.

Sydney-based Todae offers businesses practical advice for cutting down energy and water usage and reducing their environmental impact, reports Springwise.

For $399, a Todae consultant will come to an office or store and check everything from recycling to heating and cooling systems. The business is then provided with a detailed report that explains how to cut costs and go green.

Todae’s service is geared to small to medium businesses looking to save money, be less harmful to the environment and create a “strong environmental brand ethos” among customers and staff.