In this episode of The Why We Build Podcast, host Greg Woleck and co-host Steve Wheeler sit down with Jon Pereira, Production Manager at MAK Design Build, to talk about crew culture — that hard-to-define jobsite magic that makes the workday flow better, teams feel stronger, and clients feel more confident.Jon shares practical, low-cost ways to build jobsite engagement and morale through intentional leadership and simple human moments — like sharing a burrito at a concrete pour or role-playing tough conversations during Taco Tuesday (spelled TALK-O Tuesday for a reason).From modeling great client communication to integrating trade partners into the company culture, Jon offers a masterclass in leadership from the jobsite out.🔑 Key Takeaways:Crew Culture = Jobsite Family: Culture isn’t a buzzword at MAK Design Build — it’s a daily practice rooted in trust, laughter, mutual support, and respect among carpenters, PMs, designers, and trade partners.Burrito Days & Milestone Meals: A concrete pour isn't just a production milestone — it’s Burrito Day, where team members (including clients and kids!) gather, break bread, share stories, and align goals. It’s simple, memorable, and reinforces schedule accountability and camaraderie.Talk-O Tuesday (Taco Tuesday): This initiative brings production team members into the office for lunch and role-playing sessions on handling tough client conversations. It’s training disguised as tacos — building emotional intelligence and shared language.Integrating Trade Partners into Culture: Even though 85% of MAK’s work is completed by trade partners, they’re treated like family — invited to events, engaged in team rituals, and included in communication loops.Communicating with Clients: Jon coaches his team using templates and validation techniques to defuse tense moments. Core message: validate first, answer later. Avoid cornering yourself with premature promises.Using Numbers to Drive Ownership: Through the Great Game of Business framework, team members learn how their roles directly impact profitability. This creates healthy accountability and team incentives (like lunch and bonuses).🛠️ Best Quote:“The magic you’re looking for is in the work you’re not doing.” — Unknown📚 Lightning Round with Jon Pereira:Favorite Book: The HobbitFamous Builder to Lunch With: Frank Lloyd WrightDream Superpower: InvisibilityRandom Skill to Learn: Fly fishingCats or Dogs? DogsFavorite Vacation Spot: Hawaii📣 Call to Action:If you’re a production manager, design lead, or company owner in the remodeling space — this episode is a must-listen. Share it with your team and ask: What’s our burrito day?Related Resources:Learn more about Remodelers Advantage RoundtablesConnect with Greg: [email protected],MAKdesignbuild.comDiscover how you can bring culture, accountability, and momentum to your remodeling team

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