While on one hand the australian stock market reached some sorts of milestone today with  topping the biggest one day gain in the market for nine years .

On the other hand the flow of red ink through the Australian property sector has started with a multi-million dollar loss and big capital raising from the Singapore Government-controlled company, Australand Property Group. It will be the first of a long line of poor results.

Largest monthly gain in nine years today in australian stock market

The Australian share market has posted its largest monthly gain in nine years on the back of a resurgent financial sector

For the month, the ASX200 gained 7.3 per cent, its best monthly return since June 2000 when it chalked up 7.5 per cent. It was also its fifth straight month of gains. For the All Ords, the gain in July was 7 per cent, its best return since March.

By sector, materials added 1.9 per cent today alone, with banks were also higher by 1.9 per cent. Energy stocks were 1.7 per cent stronger.

- Asian shares jumped to a 10-month high
- The dollar rides on the back of the share rally
- Oil extended its rebound on demand hopes
- Gold edged higher as greenback loses its allure
- Dow futures are 42 points higher at 9132

National Australia Bank rose 56 cents, or 2.4 per cent, to $24.33, ANZ gained 79 cents, or 4.5 per cent, to $18.53, Commonwealth Bank increased $1.18, or 2.8 per cent, to $42.80 and Westpac added 32 cents, or 1.5 per cent, to $21.69.

Today’s Australian Indices

Industrials (XNJ)
3297.00
42.80
1.32%

Materials (XMJ)
11098.80
207.00
1.90%

Financials (XFJ)
4009.50
74.70
1.90%

 

Australian reports

• Aust markets: Financial sector pushes stocks higher
• Aust dollar report: Australian dollar closes higher
• Aust credit close: Australian bonds close stronger

I admit it. I was a Second Life naysayer a few years ago. But I am beginning to change my ways. I just read some very compelling numbers that show the strong growth of virtual worlds.

For example, membership of virtual worlds grew by 39 percent in the second quarter of 2009 to an estimated 579 million, according to virtual worlds consultancy K Zero and reported by The Guardian. What’s more, 39 percent of that growth came from children. And according to eMarketer, 54 percent of children will use virtual worlds by 2013. Numerous virtual worlds for kids, such as Poptropica, Neopets and Club Penguin, already have memberships in the millions, according to the report.

Then there’s the marketplace. From a virtual goods standpoint, roughly 12 percent of Americans have bought a virtual item at some point in the last 12 months, according to Frank N. Magid Associates and reported by Gigaom. The research also predicts that the virtual goods and currency market is estimated to reach $1.8 billion this year, with 15 percent of young males purchasing virtual items—but also 15 percent women between the ages of 35-44.

While these numbers are compelling, I’m not suggesting that we all run out and create a presence in virtual worlds. I do think the same rules apply here as they do with other social media. Identifying business needs and your user behaviors should dictate where you build a presence.

What I am suggesting, is that we pay a bit more attention to virtual worlds. As core users get older and as technical capabilities grow (for example when users can move from one virtual world to another) we should all be ready to embrace this emerging media as a worthwhile connection point.

I have pledged to blog with integrity. The pledge (from their site) follows. I salute this effort. It creates a public intent and draws between folks blogging with integrity and those using blogs to try to coerce people into trusting their message.

That does not mean that blogging can’t be used to sell or market products. But it does mean that selling and marketing should be done in a way that is honest and transparent. More here, as outlined in the pledge.

The Pledge

By displaying the Blog with Integrity badge or signing the pledge, I assert that the trust of my readers and the blogging community is important to me.

I treat others respectfully, attacking ideas and not people. I also welcome respectful disagreement with my own ideas.

I believe in intellectual property rights, providing links, citing sources, and crediting inspiration where appropriate.

I disclose my material relationships, policies and business practices. My readers will know the difference between editorial, advertorial, and advertising, should I choose to have it. If I do sponsored or paid posts, they are clearly marked.

When collaborating with marketers and PR professionals, I handle myself professionally and abide by basic journalistic standards.

I always present my honest opinions to the best of my ability.

I own my words. Even if I occasionally have to eat them.

Jim Stengel (pictured), a former global marketing officer for Procter & Gamble who retired from his post last fall,, has started his own firm, The Jim Stengel Company, LLC. The firm focuses on “purpose-based marketing.” He plans to consult, author a book and serve an advisory role to MarketShare Partners.

He knows a thing or two about global marketing. Check out his site.

It takes vision, hard work and sacrifice to successfully operate a small business. This is especially true in this ever-evolving and harsh competitive marketplace. Smart small business owners may have what it takes inside themselves, but do they have what it takes inside their offices?

This also affects me as I own my very own business, a small but (thank God) growing online sales company, geared towards security systems and related software. One of the main problems we’re facing now is that our base systems are kind of old and they’re lacking the power and flexibility they need in order to handle the growing traffic and sales flow, not to mention the actual recording and storage of live security feeds from our clients. They really need some real upgrade but the current credit crunch makes it kind of a far-fetched goal, al least for now.

If you own a small business and want the chance to make the most out of your office gear and applications, AT&T is running a contest called the AT&T Small Business InSite which will give any small business a technological makeover and help them catch up. There’s little doubt that Technology is a major player in any business. Many people consider it a business’ most important asset and if you can invest in the right technology for your business, you can reach success much sooner than you had ever planned.

The winner of this contests will get free Consulting from a leading AT&T’s technology experts, always in a language that ensures you understand every step and proposal. That alone is a huge plus for you and your business. But that’s not all. They will also provide Windows® Small Business Server 2008 Standard, which will enable your business to work better, with the software’s services and tools playing on your side, instead of against you.

That’s why I already signed up for this contest. I’m really hoping I win this one, as it would mean a huge plus on my IT gear and business processes, allowing my small business to grow strong.

If you’re interested in this offer from AT&T visit Smallbiz.ATT.com to find out how to enter and possibly win. This could be the first big step towards success for you and your business, by enabling advanced business processes that will benefit your company, your client and, in the end, you. Don’t let this opportunity pass by you.