Hi, I’m Mike Davis.
I founded Shackleton Labs to provide flexible, affordable and high quality access to fractional innovation support for organisations, leaders and people in the for purpose sector.
As a generalist explorer, my career has gifted me experience as a Judge’s Associate, policy manager at Australia’s leading medical colleges, a senior advisor in Victorian Governent and more recently over a decade working as a senior executive helping not for profits and social enterprises to grow their revenue and impact.
During this time, I have been a founder of my own social impact consultancy and created and subsequently sold one of Australia’s top business and management podcasts, Humans of Purpose.
More recently, I founded a 162-year old global not for profit’s first ever innovation lab and designed and implemented a thriving work program that delivered quality partnerships, projects, social impact and revenue outcomes.
I’ve learned that innovation doesn’t happen by accident. It requires a strategic, intentional and nuanced approach that touches culture, capability, mindset and more. Through Shackleton Labs, I’m here to support dynamic for purpose leaders and their organisations to become leading innovators for growth and social impact.
Proudest Expeditions
Developed a 2-year revenue and impact growth roadmap. Designed and implemented new agile product pods to support integrated marketing, whilst managing several senior managers directly and over thirty staff indirectly
— Medium Social EnterpriseCreated and co-chaired the first ever for purpose innovation leaders community of practice in Australia and grew this to over 25 not for profit organisations and monthly participants as a forum to share knowledge and best practice
— Large Not For ProfitCreated and scaled a global not for profits first innovation lab in its history. Designed and delivered scalable digital and social innovation projects, built an innovation-focused internal capability, culture, coaching and tools for staff
— Large Not For ProfitBuilt a thriving social impact consulting business (B Corp) from scratch. Purposeful won several global B Lab Best For The World Awards, supported global $1bn valued firms to develop their social impact measurement approaches and strategic plans
— Startup FounderCreated a global award winning weekly podcast showcasing purpose-driven leaders in Australia. Produced 330 episodes, attracting major sponsors, a sustainable revenue model, subsequently sold to a social enterprise in NSW
— Startup FounderLed the development and implementation of a new strategic plan, partnership and stakeholder engagement model and impact framework to help increase revenue 5x ($4m-$20m) and headcount with a subsequent acquisition by the market leader
— Medium Not For ProfitCore Values
Shackleton Labs is founded upon some of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s core leadership principles. They have helped me climb many personal and career mountains-
Optimistic
No matter what the challenge or the conditions, we remain steadfastly positive and realistic about the shared outcome.
Adaptive
We provide clear and decisive advice and direction, but remain flexible to change throughout the journey as the conditions and needs change too.
Caring
Great work comes from caring relationships, so we are always focused on building and maintaining great relationships.
Inspiring
We tell stories, hold spaces and share rituals and approaches that inspire your crew. We inspire the momentum to deliver real change.
