  In this paper, we point out a very flexible scheme within which a strict
minimax inequality occurs. We then show the fruitfulness of this approach
presenting a series of various consequences. Here is one of them: Let $Y$ be a
finite-dimensional real Hilbert space, $J:Y\to {\bf R}$ a $C^1$ function with
locally Lipschitzian derivative, and $\varphi:Y\to [0,+\infty[$ a $C^1$ convex
function with locally Lipschitzian derivative at 0 and $\varphi^{-1}(0)=\{0\}$.
Then, for each $x_0\in Y$ for wich $J'(x_0)\neq 0$, there exists $\delta>0$
such that, for each $r\in ]0,\delta[$, the restriction of $J$ to $B(x_0,r)$ has
a unique global minimum $u_r$ which satisfies $$J(u_r)\leq
J(x)-\varphi(x-u_r)$$ for all $x\in B(x_0,r)$, where $B(x_0,r)=\{x\in Y:
\|x-x_0\|\leq r\}\ .$
