The tallest building in the Western Hemisphere is in Chicago, and since its construction in 1973 it was known as the Sears Tower. In 2009, it was re-named. Willis Group CEO Joseph Plumeri tells the story:

“I told people I’m going to rename it the Willis Tower. They said: ‘You can’t do that. It’s impossible. That name has been on there since 1973. Who are you to come along and change the name?’ I said that Sears hadn’t been in the building since 1993, why not? I met with the owner of the building, which was 20 percent vacant, and I said I need 2 percent of the space. I negotiated $14.50 a square foot. And he says to me, ‘Do we have a deal?’ I said ‘Not exactly.’ He said, ‘What do you want now?’ When we dedicated that building, I was on the evening news with Brian Williams and he said to me, ‘Joe, after so many years it was called the Sears Tower, how did you get them to change the name to Willis?’ And I looked into the camera and I said, ‘I asked.’” (The New York Times, June 12, 2011)

Closing quotes:

“Great things are only possible with outrageous requests.” — Thea Alexander

“Asking is the beginning of receiving. Make sure you don’t go to the ocean with a teaspoon. At least take a bucket so the kids won’t laugh at you.” — Jim Rohn

“We find what we expect to find, and we receive what we ask for.” — Elbert Hubbard, American editor, publisher and writer; 1856–1915