Keeping updated with seo and Google can be stressful, however I do everyday read about the latest in seo and Panda, Penguin and other information that Google is doing to the site and ranking.
I have 4 sites right now that are ranking in Google on the first page. These site went front page in less then a month. This is due to the fact that I follow Google's guidelines, do only white hat and been doing this since 2006. Never once had a site to get penalized.
I can promise first page in Google with in a month not for all keywords however can get them close. Once I see the site and the keywords would be able to tell you better how I can go about getting the site to front page of Google.
I do on page seo to make sure the site is following Google guidelines as this is so important these days to make sure the site is Google Ready...after I do that I start with the off page seo following again Google. Such as blogging, links to directories, major search engines, minor search engines, Social book marking, social media. Articles and will look to see if there is a good site that is of the same subject to link too that is not a spam and can draw traffic to your site from theirs.
I give weekly reports of how the site is doing and ranking. Each month you will get a full report on a excel sheet showing all work that was done where the links were put and which ones are showing up.
I use Google webmaster tools and Google analytic to watch the site as it is ranking.
Rhonda