Salesforce.com chairman and CEO Marc Benioff took his Internet of Customers message to the Big Apple last week. On the first stop of the 2014 Salesforce1 World Tour, Benioff spoke of all the ways companies now have to engage consumers: social media, mobile, and connected devices, also known as the “Internet of Things.”

He emphasized that behind all of these products, tweets, posts, and apps, is a customer, which defines the Internet of Customers. The challenge for companies is to take the leap forward and become a customer-focused company. "The question isn't are we going to make the change, it's how are we going to make the change now?" said Benioff.

In a month where resolutions and betterment take center stage, Benioff shared that constant improvement is always the focus at Salesforce. “If you’re not growing in our industry, you’re dying,” he said. This attitude was the catalyst for the new Salesforce1 Platform custom publisher, first announced at Dreamforce 2013. The Salesforce1 Platform is 100-percent mobile, cloud, and social, and can connect everything in one place.

Benioff said that the adoption of Salesforce1 has been “phenomenal” in just a few weeks. Here are five ways the Salesforce1 Platform sets itself apart: 

1. Developers

Developers are more important than ever and the Salesforce1 Platform gives them more APIs to build next generation apps.

2. ISVs

Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) can use the Salesforce1 Platform to publish next generation apps.

3. Employees

The Salesforce1 Platform allows employees to be empowered and productive immediately. 

4. Admins 

Admins can use a dedicated app to manage Salesforce from anywhere.

5. Customers

Users can experience all of the above innovation through custom apps on any device.

Join the Salesforce1 Platform Customer Webinar on Thursday, January 16th, 2014 at 10 am PST / 1 pm EST. See a demonstration of the Salesforce1 Platform and learn:

• Best practices for connecting to next generation products, apps, and devices

• How to use Salesforce1 to create an inventory and distribution app

• Ways to leverage Salesforce1 to automate your business, faster

Special guests from biotech leader New England Biolabs will show how they connect their products to their customers with the Salesforce1 Platform.

Registering for the free webinar is as easy as clicking the button below.