Online dispute resolution (ODR) isn’t new. It’s been around for almost 20 years, starting with the early days of ecommerce and disputes related to online transactions. 

In the early days, ODR was mostly used to resolve commercial disputes. But over the years, it has gradually expanded to include many practice areas. 

Of course, COVID-19 completely changed the game. With in-person meetings no longer possible for many people, ODR moved from an option to a necessity. 

If you’ve never conducted a mediation or arbitration online, you’re facing a dizzying new world of videoconferencing software, tools, features, and pitfalls. 

Which platform should you use? What features do you need? How should your approach evolve?

These are the challenges Mary Joseph had in mind when she designed our new Online Dispute Resolution Workshop. 

The primary goal of alternative dispute resolution (ADR)  is to settle disputes without litigation.

Going to court often involves a long and arduous process—and doesn’t always produce a beneficial result. 

This is precisely what ADR is designed to avoid: the time delays, costs, anxiety, and sometimes disappointing outcomes of litigation. 

ADR is used to settle disputes in a wide range of practice areas, including:

☑️ Family matters 

☑️ Commercial contracts 

☑️ Workplace disputes 

☑️ Labour relations 

☑️ Business and consumer disputes 

☑️ Intellectual property 

☑️ Sports 

☑️ Construction 

☑️ International trade deals 

☑️ Torts 

There are four main types of ADR. Many alternative dispute resolution professionals build skills across all four modalities, so they can choose or combine approaches to suit clients' needs.

In this post, we'll guide you through each ADR type, including common pros and cons of each model. 

Quick summary: Compare accredited mediation and arbitration certificates offered at Kompass. Learn how you can build your own customized online dispute resolution training program.

Disputes are an inevitable part of the human experience. In personal and professional relationships, in family groups and work settings, at the community level, and between nations—conflict is a fact of life. 

It’s how we deal with disputes that defines our capacity to evolve and grow. This is an increasingly valued personal and professional skill.

We’ve been delivering online dispute resolution training for years, and are continuously surprised at the diverse backgrounds and motivations of students. 

Like many judges and lawyers, Mary Joseph entered the field of alternative dispute resolution after retiring from a successful career in law. But she’s not your typical lawyer-turned-mediator.

Mary brings a unique repertoire of skills and scholarship to her mediation practice, including 30 years as an immigration lawyer, a Master’s in Divinity, and expertise in online dispute resolution (ODR).

Two years ago, Mary added mediation instructor to the list. She teaches the accredited Mediation Certificate at Kompass Professional Development.

Updated December 2022

“I am convinced that nothing we do is more important than hiring and developing people. At the end of the day, you bet on people not on strategies.” - Larry Bossidy 

It's tough to argue with Larry Bossidy—renowned business leader, author, speaker, and now retired CEO of Honeywell. 

Bossidy was never an HR manager, but there’s no doubt he understood the enormous value of recruiting, nurturing, and retaining top talent. He knew that business success is intrinsically linked to employee success. 

And who monitors and cultivates employee success? The human resources team. 

That’s why HR has risen in stature to occupy a central role in business. Organizations must compete for the best workforce—and only talented HR professionals can give them an edge. 

Exactly what are companies looking for when hiring human resources managers? They’re looking for candidates with a specific set of core HR competencies.  

Take a look at the top 10 skills you need to work in HR. 

Updated December 2022

Canada is in the midst of a mental health crisis. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, 20 per cent of Canadians will personally experience a mental health problem or illness this year.By age 40, half the population will have, or have had, a mental illness. 

Never has demand been higher for skilled mental health counselors, clinicians, advocates, and organizers. We need support at every level, from grassroots community mental health organizations to policymakers and clinical practitioners. 

Are you considering a career in community mental health? Wondering what your job options are, or what training you need to get started? 

Explore some common community mental health careers. Compare roles, learn about educational requirements, and which skills you'll need to succeed in this field.

The use of arbitration is on the rise. More and more employers require workers to sign mandatory arbitration agreements, keeping conflicts like employment discrimination and wrongful termination out of the courts.

We're also seeing a major uptick in intellectual property and technology disputes handled through arbitration.

Arbitration clauses are finding their way into a growing number of consumer contracts, spanning everything from cell phone agreements and home purchases to car rentals and cable service providers. There is also a widespread movement to use arbitration as an alternative to litigation for international commercial disputes.

Virtual arbitration, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in arbitration, and the emergence of arbitration analytics all point toward the expansion and rapid evolution of the practice.

Yet, despite its growing importance in the world of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), a number of myths persist about the nature and process of arbitration.

Kat Bellamano teaches the accredited arbitration training course at Kompass Professional Development. She has been working in the field of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) for 17 years.

Updated January 2023

It could easily be argued that absolutely everyone can benefit from a quality mental health education course.

With skyrocketing rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide across the globe, it seems obvious that mental health education and resources should be a top priority for us all. 

However, until that day comes, it makes sense to support our first line of defense. We’re talking about front-line professionals who deal closely with the public every single day. 

Health care providers are an obvious part of this group, but there are many other occupations that involve working with and supporting groups of people. Educators, social workers, and HR professionals, to name a few.

Any position that involves helping, treating, teaching, coaching, managing, and motivating others can overlap with the domain of mental health. 

Curious about who takes our Mental Health & Addictions course, or if you could benefit from it yourself? Here's a look at the professions our students come from and why they take this training.

Updated January 2023

What’s the first thing you should do when someone is experiencing a panic attack? What if you suspect someone is at risk of harming themselves? How should you approach them? 

The Global Burden of Disease study revealed that 970 million people worldwide were living with a mental health disorder in 2019--a 48 per cent increase since 1990. 

And yet, shockingly few of us know the signs of poor mental health, or how to respond to a mental health emergency. 

We understand that early intervention is key to saving lives and getting people the help they deserve. But we are fearful of saying the wrong thing, causing offence, or making the situation worse. 

Anyone who works in a community-serving role can benefit enormously from mental health first aid training. It’s not just health care providers who encounter people suffering from mental illness. From teachers to social workers to law enforcement to business managers—everyone should know the basic response strategies. 

So, let's get started. Here are the five steps of mental health first aid, explained in plain language.