I chose both
I started with 'E' as the right thing to
do, but waffled. This is because the
problem was not REALLY with people's
performance, it was with the PERCEPTION
of the department with the upper
management.
For all you know, based on the description,
the department was doing an EXCELLENT
job. But because of bad PR, they were
getting skunked by another department.
So first I'd figure out some measurement,
some goal, something that allows me to
accurately determine the performance.
If we were meeting it, I'd wage a PR
campaign on the upper level. If we were
not, then I'd do 'E'. And immediately
wage a PR campaign on the upper level,
showing progress.
If you wait until the scheduled meeting,
you don't know what you are about to get
hit with. Find out beforehand.