Turning up the volume on your ipod

We have all sorts of discussions here in the office and amongst a lot of rather insignificant trivia we thought this was one worth sharing!

There are many hacks and utilities to increase the volume on your ipod but what most people miss is the fact that in itunes all tracks are set to play at half volume. This is fine if sat at home or listening to music quietly on your own but if you're on a plane or outside running, then sometimes it would be nice to drown out that background noise.

If you right click on a track in itunes and select Get Info. Then in the Options tab you will see the volume adjustment which you can increase accordingly. If you wish you can highlight your whole library and then repeat that process and this will update them all.

Now you'll be able to run your ipod at half volume and turn it up accordingly if needed rather than always running at max volume and it not being enough.

This will also resolve the issue with tracks being set at different volumes when you download them. Even in itunes the volume can be different from track to track so you're forever making adjustments when listening back but to listen to those quiet acoustic tracks on the plane, this is the easiest and quickest fix available.

Set your iPod volume to a safe level.
If you experience ringing in your ears, reduce the volume or discontinue use of your iPod.
Warning: Permanent hearing loss may occur if earbuds or headphones are used at high volume. You can adapt over time to a higher volume of sound that may sound normal but can be damaging to your hearing. If you experience ringing in your ears or muffled speech, stop listening and have your hearing checked.

The louder the volume, the less time is required before your hearing could be affected. Hearing experts suggest that to protect your hearing:

• Limit the amount of time you use earbuds or headphones at high volume.


• Avoid turning up the volume to block out noisy surroundings.


• Turn the volume down if you can’t hear people speaking near you.

The Benefits of Microsites

Our most successful marketing direction to date has been the implementation of microsites for product specific content. The following sites have all been designed with the customer in mind, providing more detailed information on each subject than we are able to provide on our main website. They are proving a valuable resource for attracting new customers, guiding existing customers through specific product details and increasing traffic to our main site:

www.disc-printers.co.uk
www.macduplicators.co.uk
www.storeandprotect.co.uk
www.blu-rayduplicators.co.uk
www.microtechx100.co.uk

Microsites may be something that could benefit you and your business. Read on to see how...

Microsite Benefits
Microsites are mini-sites consisting of one main promotional page with the option of a contact page and a form request or a promotion page. They give you the opportunity to include more detailed information on the core subject and therefore become a valuable resource to your customers. These multi-purpose sites are ideal for online marketing promotion campaigns and can encompass a wide range of traffic-generating and business-building solutions.

Microsites can be used for:
* Landing sites for email campaigns
* Marketing vehicles for brands, products or services
* Targeted satellites of larger web presences
* Dedicated sites for time-sensitive initiatives
* Effective stand-alone web presences
* Variations on themes for different audiences

Features can include:
* Content optimised specifically for search engine purposes.
* Various marketing-related elements (eg Quick Questionnaire, Free Contest, Event attendance confirmation)
* Products/Services/Promotions at a glance.
* Focused calls to action.

Microsite designs can be developed as an addition to a current web site design theme or be uniquely customised to specific services and products. If you would like advice regarding website design our expert web team will be happy to help.

The importance of getting value in difficult times….

We are all facing big challenges and businesses face a bumpy ride in 2009.

The downturn in the economy has many of us reading advice from business press on steps we can take in order to help us through these times. The advice given follows a similar theme regardless of which publication or website you are reading. This article gives our take on the situation and the measures we are taking to safeguard our success:

1. Watch cash flow
 
A daily task we are in control of on a long and short term basis and one we appreciate the value of.

2. Review head count
 
We run a very tight ship and have the right team for our needs to run an efficient and productive business.

3. Review supplier contracts and costs
 
Our strong supplier relationships and regular negotiations with them ensure win-win results

4. Remain positive - there is still business to be done
 
By continuing to deliver great service, our quality products and services continue to offer a return on investment and we remain confident of doing business

5. Focus on specialist areas of your market
 
Grow and adapt. Our expertise, originally in CD and DVD, has grown as technology has to now include Blu-ray and flash memory such as USB.

6. Find new markets
 
Much like watching cash flow this seems to be stating the very obvious, it is something we do on a daily basis.

7. Hold onto existing customers
 
Nothing could be more important to us right now. We view customer service as the series of activities before, during and after an order is placed. Whether that order is for a product or service, that experience is the key to keeping existing customers and attracting new ones.

8. Be open and honest with staff

We have always had a policy of sharing our targets and results with the entire company . If we all have the same goals and measure against them, it makes it easier to achieve objectives and work together as a team.

9. Form alliances and partnerships
 
We will continue to evaluate the market and consider mutually beneficial opportunities that build on our current offering and make us stronger.

10. Proceed with caution
 
We will be sure to do so, there is no other way right now.

We at CD Team, will be heeding this advice and ensuring we remain a very strong and successful business coming out of this recession. Many of our customers have relied on us for the entire 14 years we have been trading, others for less time however, their reliance is just as great. When placing an order with us, they know they can trust in us to deliver on time and within budget. At times like this we all need to know we are getting the best value for money, when budgets are squeezed we want to know that every pound spent is necessary and done so wisely.

Call to speak with one of our Account Managers to get the best advice today on how to store, share and protect your data - you can be sure of getting professional, friendly service from one of our team.

Jo Fone

Managing Director