Organizational cultures can be diagnosed by close examination of four things. This exercise will help you practice identifying these elements of culture as they operate at the retail organization, and Nordstrom. This activity is important because identifying cultural elements is the first step to take to improve organizational culture. Organizational cultures reflect the internal environment of the organization. The goal of this activity is to learn how to diagnose a culture, as it is one of the most important factors that influence an organization's response to its external environment. Like an individual's personality, it can often be sensed immediately by examining four things, including (1) mission statements and goals; (2) business practices; (3) symbols, rites, and ceremonies; and (4) stories.